Allegheny County Police warn residents of telephone extortion scheme

The Allegheny County Police are warning area residents of a telephone scam where a man claiming to be a law enforcement officer is attempting to extort money.

Police received information Friday that a man with a distinct southern accent attempted to extort money from people by falsely representing himself as “Lt. Bender of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office.” He provided a phone number associated with the county police department, according to county police Superintendent Christopher Kearns.

Kearns said the man is telling victims that they are in trouble for a crime related to minors.

Neither the Allegheny County Police Department nor the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office solicit money for any reason by making phone calls, Kearns said in a news release.

There is no Lt. Bender employed by either agency, he added.

Anyone receiving such a call should end the call and contact authorities immediately.

Telephone scams can be reported online to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints. Reports may also be made by phone at 1-877-382-4357.