Police: Elderly Resident Almost Fell For Jury Duty Scam

The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office is once again reminding residents about a scam that continues to circulate throughout the community.

The scam involves a would-be-victim receiving a phone call from a person claiming to be a deputy with the sheriff’s office. The caller informs the resident they’ve missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued for his or her’s arrest. To avoid being hauled off to jail, the caller tells the resident they must purchase a type of pre-paid card — such as a Green-Dot, Visa or PayPal — and provide that card’s information to the supposed deputy.

“The call sounds legitimate,” said Cherokee Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Jay Baker. “Often the caller will use the name of an actual deputy.”

A senior citizen in Cherokee County was in the process of purchasing an $839 pre-paid card on Wednesday in Free Home when a store clerk helping her called the sheriff’s office to alert them of the situation. Fortunately, deputies were able to intervene in the incident before the caller was given the information, Baker stated.

No one from the sheriff’s office will contact residents for any reason and “ ask you to pay off anything,” Lt. Baker added.

Baker also encouraged residents to pass this information on to friends or family members who are senior citizens.

Image via Shutterstock

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