Jury Duty Scam Surfaces Again in Cherokee County

CANTON, GA -- Despite issuing several warnings of so-called jury duty scams, the Cherokee Sheriff's Office said it continues to receive reports of thieves attempting to steal money from residents.

On Monday, a resident received a phone call from a person claiming to be a lieutenant with the sheriff's office, the agency said.

This caller told the citizen that they had an outstanding bench warrant for missing jury duty and would need to pay $800 to avoid being arrested.

"The 'lieutenant' knew personal information about the person to include where they lived and the names of their children," sheriff's office spokesperson Lt. Jay Baker said. "The caller could even hear what they described as a 'police radio' in the background of the phone call."

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Baker noted this scam has many variations, and the suspect often discusses meeting the citizen at the county jail or a sheriff's office precinct. They would also instruct residents to purchase some type of pre-paid credit card, but "actually have no intention of meeting," he added.

"The suspects want the access numbers on the pre-paid cards, which then allows them access to the funds on the cards," Baker said.

No one from the Cherokee Sheriff's Office will ever contact you by phone and to request payments for anything.

"If you get a similar call, it is a scam," Baker said.

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