Bloomfield Resident Victim of 'Attorney General' Phone Scam

Bloomfield Township Police Department again warned residents this week about protecting personal information and staying vigilant against potential scams after another resident was reportedly bilked of a significant amount of money. 

Reports said officers responded to a resident in the 400 Block of S. Fox Hills on June 26 who said they received a phone call from a subject claiming to be “Officer Jack Gates” with the Attorney General’s office. The subject spoke with a heavy accent and knew some basic information about the victim. The subject told the victim that she needed to pay $88,000 for an outstanding debt or be arrested. 

Reports said the victim made several payments by using pre-paid debit cards,. but finally decided to contact the police. Investigators said they are currently attempting to locate the source of the scam.

The report came just a week after the department issued a warning about new scam alerts reported by residents.

"Residents are advised to be very cautious when someone claiming to be collecting money asks for the payments to be made using a wire service," authorities reiterated on the department's Facebook page. "When payment is requested by these means, it is very likely to be a scam."