READING, Pa. – Berks County authorities are raising the alarm about a growing scam targeting local residents.
The latest warning came directly from District Attorney John Adams, who took to Facebook to explain how scammers are impersonating sheriff’s deputies, using real names of law enforcement personnel, to pressure victims into sending payments via Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency.
“We have seen an uptick in scams that are occurring, and they are affecting our community,” Adams told 69 News.
The scam typically starts with a phone call claiming the recipient missed jury duty or a court appearance. The caller then threatens arrest unless the person sends money electronically, usually in the form of cryptocurrency.
“And generally, they’re asking that this payment occur in cryptocurrency, which should set up an immediate reaction that it’s a scam,” Adams said.
To show how the scam works, Adams even dialed one of the suspicious numbers during our interview. The voicemail claimed to be from a “Sergeant Eric Heckman with the Citation Division” — a real name, but a fake voice and setup.
“The Sheriff’s Office will never ask for payments over the phone,” Adams stressed. “We’re trying to get the word out. It doesn’t matter if they use an actual person’s name, it’s still a scam.”
This type of scam isn’t unique to Berks County. Similar reports have been made across the country, often targeting the elderly or vulnerable populations. Adams says several people in Berks have already fallen victim, paying in Bitcoin after being frightened by the threat of arrest.
His message to the public is simple: “If you happen to pick up the phone, you tell them this is a scam and hang up.”
If you’ve received a suspicious call like this, officials urge you to report it to your local police department or the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.