SCAM OF THE WEEK: Scammers posing as court officials with legitimate names, startling docs

Federal court orders that appear to be signed by an actual judge are presenting a new twist in judicial scams.

This fraud hitting New Mexico centers on a supposed investigation into the pandemic Paycheck Protection Program, according to an alert from the U.S. District Court in Albuquerque. Loans under the PPP program helped businesses keep their workers employed during the COVID crisis.

In phone calls and emails, the scammer claims to be a court staff member or investigator and tells the target he or she failed to appear for a court hearing. Note that the name given could be a legitimate court employee.

The scammer asks to confirm the target’s email address and having done so, sends such documents as an “order of arrest” and “investigation notice,” among other paperwork. Again, the judge’s signature might be based on a real person.

The court’s alert says the scammer might eventually ask for immediate payment of fines or for personal information, although that request is not necessarily made during the initial contact.

The federal court says it “will never ask for sensitive information in an unsolicited phone call or email and will not assess a fine or penalty for failure to appear in federal court without first having the person appear before a judge.”

If you are hit with this kind of scam contact the FBI at (505) 889-1300 and choose option No. 1. To double-check about any issues before the court, contact the local federal court at 505-348-2000.

Beware of bank posers

Peer-to-peer payment methods like Venmo, Zelle and Cash App are popular because of their convenience, but a survey shows that many of the users queried lost money to fraud or were at least targeted by these scams, according to AARP.

Such payment services allow the transfer of funds directly to a third party without the need for checks, cash or debit cards. Nationwide, nearly half of the U.S. population is estimated to use these services.

One issue, however, is that the apps do not have the same consumer protections that credit cards offer.

“Transactions are like paying cash, instantaneous and usually irreversible,” AARP says.

Its survey of 2,000 adults 18 and older, taken last June and July, showed that 17% of those who had used a payment app in the previous year had been a victim or intended victim. Among those who were targeted, more than half — 59% — reported losing money.

In one scam involving Zelle, which is a bank-to-bank transfer app, the fraudster poses as someone from your bank and tells you there’s a problem with your account. You will be told you can protect your money by transferring it into a new account in your name.

“But that new account really belongs to the scammer, so after you make the transfer, your money will be gone,” the Federal Trade Commission says.

Here are a few pointers:

· It’s best to limit use of these transfers to send money to friends, family or others you trust.

· If you’re uncertain about whether a transfer request is legitimate, contact the person, bank or business via a known and legitimate phone number.

· If you find unauthorized payments, contact your bank immediately.

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210, prompt 5. Complaints can be filed electronically at nmag.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint/