INDIANAPOLIS — Spoofers are using the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana’s main phone number, 317-229-3700, to scam and intimidate people.
Recently, the Clerk’s Office began receiving phone calls from individuals who had been contacted by people claiming to be with the “court,” and whose number on the recipient’s caller ID appeared as the court’s actual main phone number. Call recipients were informed that:
• their Social Security benefits had been “hacked” and they must provide their Social Security number
• they are under investigation for prostitution
• they are under investigation for soliciting
• they will be arrested
• they must appear in court no later than X time that same day
• their phone number showed up on a list based on a phone call they made.
Many of the victims are of Latino heritage, and in some instances the scammers speak to the victims in Spanish.
Residents of the Southern District of Indiana who believe they have been the victim of such a scam are encouraged to report the incident to the District Court Clerk’s Office at 317-229-3700; the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov; and the U. S. Marshals Service at 317-226-6566.
As a reminder:
• Do not divulge personal information or financial information to unknown callers, including those who claim to work for a government agency.
• A fine will never be imposed until after an individual has appeared in court and been given the opportunity to explain a failure to appear.
• A court will never ask for a credit/debit card number, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers over the phone for any purpose.
• Report scams to the District Court Clerk’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, or Federal Trade Commission.
• You can remain anonymous when you report.
• You can authenticate a call by contacting the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis at 317-229-3700 to verify that the court is not requiring any action from you and that the scam call did not come from the court.