Jury-Duty Phone Scam Hits Douglas County

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A popular phone scam that has been making the rounds in metro Atlanta has hit Douglas County.

County officials say someone has been calling Douglas residents, telling them they missed jury duty.

The caller, who identifies himself as a member of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, says a bench warrant has been issued, and the recipient of the call must pay a fine or spend 120 days in jail.

"This is a scam," the Douglas Board of Commissioners says in a news release. "Douglas County does not make phone calls about jury duty and does not issue bench warrants, fines or jail time for no-shows for jury duty."

All jury summons are issued by mail by the Douglas County Clerk of Superior Court.

On the scam calls, the caller tells the recipient to go to Walgreen's, CVS or Rite-Aid and get a cash card in the amount of $500 or $1,000 and then call the scammer back with the card number.

The scammer, of course, plans to steal the money.

Anyone who receives such a call is urged, first, not to give the caller any personal information. They are encouraged to get the caller's information, including a phone number, then call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (770) 920-4910.

Do not call the scammer back for any reason, officials warn.

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