By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — New scams are targeting domestic violence victims in North Carolina, the attorney general’s office said Thursday.
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According to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, scammers pretending to be law enforcement or court officials will usually reach out to domestic violence victims after an arrest, court hearing, or court date.
The scammers will use details from easily accessible investigative reports and court records.
The attorney general’s office said the scammers may ask domestic violence victims to:
- Make an immediate payment to post bond for their alleged abuser
- Make a payment for the district attorney to dismiss charges against their alleged abuser
- Pay a processing/filing fee over the phone to process a domestic violence protection order
- Pay for electronic monitoring before their abuser can be released from prison
- Make an immediate payment to prevent their abuser from being released due to an apparent shortage of supplies or other necessary items
The scammers may also falsely claim Family Justice Centers or victim service providers cost more money in an effort to discourage victims from seeking help from them, according to the attorney general’s news release.
“A district attorney’s office will never dismiss charges in exchange for money, filing a domestic violence protection order never costs money, and victim services are available for free by calling Family Justice Centers or local 24/7 crisis hotlines,” the attorney general’s office said in a statement.
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A database of the hotlines can be found on the North Carolina Department of Administration website and information on filing a domestic violence protection order is available on the North Carolina Courts website.
Anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be law enforcement is asked to hang up, call for help, and not provide any payment.
“Let me be clear on this: No legitimate law enforcement agency or district attorney will call you to demand money,” North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson said in a statement. “If you get a call like that, it’s a scam. Hang up and call law enforcement. There are real, legitimate resources in North Carolina for victims of domestic violence and I hope you will seek them out.”
If you believe you have been scammed, contact the Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-566-7226 or filing a complaint online.
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