Better Business Bureau serving Central & Eastern is warning the public of a jury duty phone scam that tricked a Fayette County woman into paying a $500 “fine” for allegedly missing jury duty.
The woman tells the BBB she received a phone call at home Tuesday night from a man identifying himself as an “officer” with the Fayette County Warrant Division. He told her she had failed to appear for jury duty and was in contempt of court. He told her she must pay a fine over the phone to avoid being arrested immediately.
http://liarcatchers.com/fraud_investigation.html
He instructed the woman to go obtain a Greendot Money Pak card at a local store, load it with $499 and give him the numbers over the phone. He then advised her of a date she could appear in court before the judge to get the fine “returned” to her and the charges dismissed. He said this was due to “special privileges” she had because she has a clean record.
“This is a known phone scam around the country,” said Heather Clary, BBB Director of Communications. “Court and law enforcement officials have said they do NOT call people on the phone to warn of court charges and demanding payment of fines. Since this woman has paid with a Greendot Money Pak card, she has no recourse for getting her money back.”
The number the victim was given to call had an 859 area code, which she says made it seem “legitimate” to her. Citizens who receive a call like this should NOT answer any questions and hang up. If uncertain about whether summons for jury duty has been missed in district, circuit or federal court, contact the court in your area at the phone numbers found in the government section of the telephone directory. Citizens may also report the scam to the Better Business Bureau at (859) 259-1008.
