Jury-Duty Phone Scam: Heads Up To Residents

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA – San Mateo County sheriff's officials are warning the public about a jury-duty phone scam involving suspects who pose as sheriff's office employees in an attempt to defraud people for personal information and money.

Sheriff's officials said Tuesday that they have received reports from residents who say they've received unsolicited phone calls from someone claiming to be a sworn member of the sheriff's office.

Victims are told they must pay a fee for failure to appear for jury duty. They are told to purchase gift cards or prepaid "green dot cards" or else they will be arrested, sheriff's officials said.

Sheriff's officials urge the public not to fall for this scam.

"The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office will never contact a member of the public demanding they pay any fees and/or fines over the phone and will never ask for money or gift cards to be electronically wired," the department said.

Anyone who may have been a victim of this scam is asked to report it to local authorities.

Anyone wanting to verify their jury duty status can do so by calling the Superior Court of California, San Mateo County Jury Division at (650) 599-1700.

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--Bay City News contributed to this report/Shutterstock image