Police are warning people about a text message that they must delete and report immediately if received.
Law enforcement officers are warning iPhone users about a new way scammers are stealing people's information. The Hampden County Sheriff's Office in Massachusetts announced on Tuesday that iPhone users have reported text messages "claiming the recipient is under investigation and demanding a call back to avoid "legal action"".
The Sheriff's Office took to its Facebook page to post an example of the text along with a statement from Sheriff Nick Cocchi on how to proceed if you receive one of these messages.
"Sheriff Nick Cocchi is warning Hampden County residents about a new text-messaging scam. Criminals are sending alarming messages, claiming the recipient is under investigation and demanding a call back to avoid "legal action." These scammers may also include fake case numbers and links that could install malware," the Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook.
Cocchi said that scammers are trying to "scare" people into handing over their information, but real law enforcement officers would never "conduct" official business via technology.
"These scammers want to scare people into acting before thinking," said Sheriff Cocchi.
"Law enforcement will never call, text, or email to demand money, resolve a warrant, or conduct official business. If you receive a message like this, do not engage—delete it and report it," the Sheriff added.
"Even if the caller ID appears to be from a legitimate agency, it is likely spoofed using Internet-based services. The Hampden County Sheriff's Office will never request payment or personal information over the phone, via text, or online," the statement on Facebook added.
The Sheriff's Office told receipts of this message to delete it and report it the local police department writing, : "Please share this warning with your family and friends, especially those who may be more vulnerable to scams. Stay safe!"
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The post comes after the Hampden Country Sheriff's Office shared another scam alert on their Facebook page in July when reposting a post by the Springfield Police Department.
"The Springfield Police are warning our residents of a phone scam.We have received reports that residents have received calls from a person falsely stating they represent the Hampden County Sheriff's Department," the post read.
"The scammer will say something to the effect of there are important legal matters to discuss before asking for personal information such as birth days, names and social security numbers," the post concluded.
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"This is a scam. If you receive a phone call similar to this, just hang up. No law enforcement agency will ever ask you to verify that information over the phone. Please spread the word, especially to our senior citizen community," the post concluded.
The Hampden Country Sheriff's Office shared the post with the statment "Please be aware of the scam calls happening, as detailed by our friends at the Springfield Police Department. Our office will NEVER make a phone call to discuss official business and NEVER solicit sensitive information during a phone call."
