On November 14, 2024, the Maryland Sex Offender Registry Unit sent out a notification reporting another scam targeting registered persons throughout the state of Maryland.
Because address and other personal information is readily available online, registered persons are easy targets. Maryland recommends that anyone targeted report the incident to both their local registry office AND local law enforcement.
The blog will review what these scams are, how they operate, and what to do.
“Sex Offender” Scams Targeting Registrants Happen Throughout the Country
For years, individuals on sex offender registries have been targeted by telephone scams. These scams, which first gained attention back in 2018, involve callers impersonating law enforcement officers or registry offices. They demand money to avoid arrest or other legal consequences. While initially met with indifference from law enforcement, these scams are finally receiving some level of recognition and concern from authorities. This blog post will examine the increasing awareness of these scams, the challenges in combating them, and advice for registrants on how to protect themselves.
Growing Media Awareness and Law Enforcement Response
The increased attention to these scams is evident in recent media reports and warnings issued directly by law enforcement agencies. For example, some states have begun posting warnings or notifications of scams on the pages of the state registry, state police, or other law enforcement pages. Some states that either currently have posted notifications, or have had warnings in the past, include Nevada State Police, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, local sheriff offices (Georgia and Oklahoma), and the Delaware State Police – to name a few. In Colorado, the City of Louisville even posted a scam warning from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation on its official website.
In addition, media outlets have also joined in the past few years by publishing articles with headlines like “Phone scam targets people on Delaware’s sex offender registry” and “Deputies warn of scam targeting residents on sex offender registry.” This shift in attitude from law enforcement, government officials, and the media highlights the growing recognition of these scams as a serious issue.
Challenges in Combating Scams
Despite the increased awareness, identifying and apprehending the individuals behind these scams remains a challenge. Due to advanced technology, tracking down these scammers, who may even be operating from different countries, can be extremely difficult. Therefore, the most effective strategy is to educate registrants and their families about these scams and prepare them with the knowledge to protect themselves.
Tips to Aid in Scam Prevention
1 – Remember that your local registry office and law enforcement will not ask or accept payment to remove someone from the registry, get rid of a warrant, or take payment for probation or parole fees. This is the single biggest indication of fraud.
2 – Don’t get fooled by a caller ID that has “Sex Registry” or the name of your local county or state police law enforcement. Technology allows numbers and names to be “spoofed” by fraudsters.
3 – Don’t be influenced by a caller’s knowledge of your personal or criminal information. In addition to information available on the registry web site, your state or local county may have court records available in the public domain, or they may be able to find news articles about a case.
4 – Never provide any personal identifying information as a way to validate who you are or give any personally identifiable Information (PII).
5 – If you have any doubt, hang up and call a trusted, verified phone number that you find on a county or state web site.
Advice for Registrants: “Shut Up and Hang Up”
The easiest and best piece of advice offered by individuals within the registry reform movement is simple: “Shut up and hang up.” If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be law enforcement, do not engage with them and immediately end the call.
Remember that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never attempt to enforce a warrant over the phone or demand payment to resolve legal issues. If you receive such a call, it’s essential to report the incident to your local registry office and local police department.
Conclusion
While the increasing recognition of “sex offender” scams by law enforcement is a positive development, the challenges in combating them persist. It is crucial for registered persons and their families and loved ones to stay informed, exercise caution, and report any suspicious calls to the appropriate authorities.
If you or a family member is on the registry or is involved in a criminal case that has registry-related consequences, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.