Federal officials are warning residents in southcentral Pennsylvania, including York County, of a scam that claims they owe an outstanding loan and could be arrested if they don't pay up.
Victims receive documents via the mail and the Internet purportedly from the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania claiming they owe the courts money, according to a news release from the U.S. Postal Inspection Office.
However, both the documents are the amount owed are false, the release said.
Potential victims are instructed to pay using pre-loaded debit cards.
Characteristics used in the scam include: Scammers requesting code numbers associated with the debit cards, a scammer's ability to recite a victim's date of birth and social security number and scammers have also spoofed law enforcement telephone numbers, the release says.
There have been no reported victims in York County, said Amanda Endy, spokeswoman for the middle district court.
Anyone who may have been victimized, or an attempt was made to victimize them, in this scam is asked to call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at (717) 257-2330.
Additional information on other fraud schemes can be found at ftc.gov or postalinspectors.uspis.gov.
— Reach Greg Gross at email@example.com.