Fraud Watch News

Federal and State Ofﬁcials Launch Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force

Written on 26 March 2020. Posted in COVID-19 Security Tips and Fraud Alerts.

Department of Justice US Attorney‘s Office - Eastern District of Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 20, 2020

Federal and State Ofﬁcials Launch Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force

ROANKOE, Va. — In response to the increased threat of fraud presented by the Coronavirus, federal and Virginia state law enforcement leaders announced today the formation of the Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force.

The Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force is a joint federal and state partnership that will be led by Assistant United States Attorneys from both the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, in partnership with experienced fraud investigators from the FBI and the Virginia State Police. The mission of the task force is to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Virginia.

Price gouging protections in effect as state of emergency declared over coronavirus

Written on 13 March 2020. Posted in COVID-19 Security Tips and Fraud Alerts.

ConsumerProtectionWeekBranding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Charlotte Gomer, OAG

(804) 786-1022 desk

(804) 512-2552 mobile

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PRICE GOUGING PROTECTIONS IN EFFECT AS STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED OVER CORONAVIRUS

~ Anti-price gouging statute was activated upon Governor Northam’s declaration of state of emergency; covers items and services such as water, food, cleaning products, hand sanitizers, medicines, personal protective gear, and more ~

RICHMOND(March 12, 2020) – As public health concerns surrounding the coronavirus continue to grow, Governor Ralph Northam’s declaration of a state of emergency has triggered Virginia's anti-price gouging statutes designed to protect consumers from paying exorbitant prices for necessary goods and services during an emergency.

“When you’re trying to make sure that you and your family have all the necessities in order to protect yourselves against illness, the last thing you want to deal with is a scam or exorbitant price for a needed service or product. The sad reality is that there are unscrupulous folks out there who will take advantage of public health crises in order to make more money,” said Attorney General Herring. “Virginia law offers protections for folks who find themselves in need of things like medicines, cleaning products, hand sanitizers and other necessities during a public health crisis. I would encourage all Virginians to pay attention to any prices that seem too high, and contact my office as soon as possible if you think someone may be illegally overcharging for necessary goods or running a scam.”

Norfolk Sheriff’s Office warns of jury duty scam

Written on 06 March 2019. Posted in Fraud Watch News.

jury scam story

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 15, 2018

Media Contact: Deanna LeBlanc
(757) 589-5692
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NORFOLK, VA— The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new jury duty scam.

On Wednesday, March 6th at least three local residents received phone calls from someone claiming to be a Major with the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.

In one instance, the caller told a citizen they must pay a $3000 fine for failure to show up to federal jury duty. The caller warned the citizen that if they did not pay, they would be arrested.

The caller requested the victim to pay via gift cards and demanded the victim stay on the phone as the cards were purchased. The caller provided real NSO phone numbers and used the name of a real NSO major.

This is a scam.

The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call a citizen for failure to report to jury duty. NSO deputies will NEVER ask for money over the phone.

Jury duty notices are handled via mail or in a hand delivered summons by NSO deputies.

If you receive a call similar to this, please contact the Norfolk Sheriff's Office's Consumer Protection Unit to file a report.

File a Fraud Report