Business owners across the nation are being targeted by a new, aggressive scam. One of our subscription clients caught on in part because she did exactly what she pays us for: she called her lawyer immediately.
Here is what happened.
Late last week, she received a call from someone who said he was a deputy with the Henrico Sheriff’s Office. He gave a badge number. He sounded calm and professional. Then he told her she had missed a federal court hearing involving supposed criminal charges tied to her company’s PPP loan. He claimed a federal judge had already issued a warrant and that she needed to report to the Sheriff’s Office immediately or a deputy would come take her into custody.
He included details about her actual PPP loan. He even used the real name of a federal judge.
Everything sounded official enough to rattle anyone.
Her husband was listening and quickly looked up the judge. The judge was real. Then he called the Henrico Sheriff’s Office directly. No such deputy. No such warrant. When my client challenged the caller, he turned threatening. When she and her husband pushed back, the scammer hung up.
This scam works because these criminals use publicly available data. PPP and EIDL loan information is public record. A scammer can easily pull your company’s loan amount, the date you received it, and your business address. That data gives them just enough detail to shake your confidence and make you act out of fear.
This is exactly why our clients reach out to us before they react. When something feels off, you need a direct line to a lawyer who already knows you and your business. Our subscription clients don’t think twice. They call, text, or email immediately, and they get answers fast.
A few reminders to keep yourself and your team safe:
- Law enforcement will never demand that you “surrender yourself” over the phone.
- No legitimate officer threatens arrest if you don’t comply immediately.
- If anything feels urgent, high-pressure, or fear-based, assume a scam and pause.
- Hang up and call your attorney or the relevant agency directly using a number you look up yourself.
Train your staff on this. Scammers target whoever answers the phone.
If you or your team get a call like this, contact us right away. A quick conversation with your attorney costs you nothing extra under your subscription and can save you from a world of trouble. Scammers rely on fear. You have better tools.
Stay steady and stay skeptical.
This material is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between its readers and Dunlap Law. Consult an attorney before taking action on issues outlined here. This is attorney ADVERTISING MATERIAL.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay