SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson will be the keynote speaker at a local event.
Annually, Wilmington’s Domestic Shelter and Services Inc. hosts “Take Back the Night,” slated for Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m., at The Harrelson Center Courtyard. The event raises awareness about domestic violence, hosts speakers, a march and rally, art projects from survivors and more.
Jackson is also warning North Carolina domestic abuse victims of scam calls impersonating law enforcement in order to steal victims’ money.
The calls typically happen right after an arrest, a court hearing, or a court date. The scammers utilize details from the victims’ investigative or court records, to make it believable that law enforcement requires further personal information from the victims.
Examples of the calls are the scammer telling the victim to make a payment to immediately post bond for their alleged abuser or that they need to pay a processing fee to process a domestic violence protection order. The scammers create a sense of urgency to provide money and discourage looking for a website or somewhere else for further information.
“Let me be clear on this: No legitimate law enforcement agency or district attorney will call you to demand money,” Attorney General Jeff Jackson said.
These scams have been reported in North Carolina along with other parts of the country. Scammers can access public information such as court filings, and that is likely where they find victims to call.
Victim services are available for free by calling Family Justice Centers or local 24/7 crisis hotlines found on NC’s Department of Administration’s website.
Information on how to file a domestic violence protection order is available on the NC Courts website.
Victims receiving a scam call should hang up and call for help and not provide payment. Filing protective orders as well as victim services are free.
Victims that think they got scammed should contact the Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint on NC’s Department of Justice’s website.
Anyone seeking help from Wilmington’s Domestic Violence Shelter and Services can find more information here.
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