25-05-2025
Caller impersonates Hampden County Deputy in latest phone scheme
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Hampden County Sheriff's Office is warning the public of another reported phone scheme, in which a caller impersonated a Hampden County Deputy and demanded thousands of dollars from residents under false pretenses.
Multiple fraud attempts have been reported to the Sheriff's Office in the past week. In this most recent scheme, an individual has impersonated a deputy and told targeted individuals that they are facing some type of legal issue, such as missing a court appearance or failing to comply with a subpoena.
Hampden County Sheriff's Office warns of new jury duty scheme
The Hampden County Sheriff's Office said that the impersonator then instructed victims to bring approximately $5,000 in cash to the Sheriff's Civil Process Office at 95 Liberty Street in Springfield. By doing so, the impersonator claims that the victim would help them avoid arrest and 'clear the matter up.'
Sheriff Nick Cocchi is reminding residents that under no circumstances will a deputy call and demand payment, especially not in cash or at the civil process office.
'This is at least the third version of a scam we've seen this week alone,' Sheriff Cocchi said. 'It's aggressive, it's deceitful, and it's designed to make people panic. These scammers are deliberately using the Sheriff's name and real office locations to make their scheme more convincing—but it's 100% fake. If someone calls and demands money from you in the name of law enforcement, hang up and call your local police department immediately.'
Residents should keep in mind that law enforcement agencies will never threaten arrest over the phone or instruct anyone to bring cash to a facility. It is also important to remember that Caller ID can be fraudulent, so even if it reads 'Sheriff's Office,' that may not be the true identity of the caller. Residents can verify by calling the Hampden County Sheriff's Office directly.
If you receive this fraudulent call or one similar, do not follow the instructions or provide any information. Simply hang up and report the occurrence to your local law enforcement agency.
These schemes often target older adults and vulnerable individuals, so the Sheriff's Office is encouraging residents to do their part in spreading awareness and protecting all members of the community.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
