San Diego Superior Court Warns Public About Phone Scams

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego Superior Court officials warned the public Thursday to beware of recent phone scams.

The court has received complaints about scammers posing as court or law enforcement officials and asking people for money over the phone.

Scammers ask for cash or money orders to resolve failures to appear for jury duty, being in contempt of court and outstanding warrants for their arrest. Individuals are instructed to meet a court clerk or officer at the courthouse, and other times, people are told to meet someone outside the sheriff's department to pay the fines.

If the payments are not made, the scammer often claims the person will be arrested.

"People need to know that the court will not call someone on the phone to remedy a court issue or fine," said Michael Roddy, executive officer of the San Diego Superior Court. "The court will send you a written notice; it will not call you asking for money. In addition, the court also accepts checks and credit cards so no one should be insisting you pay a fine in cash."

Court officials advise people who receive scam phone calls to hang up or call law enforcement if the calls persist.