Gloucester County Warns Against Scams After Paulsboro Train Derailment

Gloucester County submitted the following news release: 

The Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County Office of Consumer Affairs are warning residents of ongoing attempts by scammers to lure unsuspecting residents into giving out their personal information.

After the train derailment accident in Paulsboro over the Mantua Creek, unidentified people have been knocking on doors in the Paulsboro community stating that if residents would sign a release not to file a claim, they would receive $800 cash. In this scam, the scammers are asking for personal information such as social security numbers. This is not true and residents should call the police immediately if anyone knocks on their door claiming to give cash for not filing anything.

“It is a shame that even in the depths of an environmental emergency, we still have those who would come into our county and try to deceive the victims of this community,” said Freeholder Director Robert Damminger.  

Some scammers may claim to be from utility companies and dress in some type of work uniform and hard hat to try and gain entrance to your home.  

“Please do not let people in your home that you do not know, or people who cannot show credible identification,” said Freeholder Lyman Barnes, liaison to Consumer Affairs. “If you are unsure, uncertain or uncomfortable with someone’s identification call your local police department."

Under the New Jersey Identity Theft Protection Act of 2006, the law requires local law-enforcement agencies to take a police report from you if you claim you have been the victim of identity theft. The law also allows you to place a security freeze on your consumer report which prohibits consumer reporting agencies from releasing your report to a third party without your permission.

If you would like more information on identity theft and other scams, please contact the county Office of Consumer Affairs at 856-384-6855.