Sheriff’s Dept. Warns of Jury Duty Fine Phone Scam
(Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept., April 25, 2014)
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a phone scam that targets Oakland County residents by soliciting fraudulent funds to cover non-appearance jury duty fees.
Multiple complaints have come in from citizens receiving phone calls from suspects claiming to be Oakland County 6th Circuit Court or Oakland County Sheriff’s Office employees. The suspects appear to be calling 
from a number with a 248 area code and claim that a warrant has been issued for the call taker’s arrest because they did not appear for jury duty. The suspects instructed the call taker to pay the fine with a pre-paid Green Dot Visa Card to clear the warrant. The suspects provided an alternate 248 area code number for the call taker to obtain verification. When this number was called for confirmation, the phone was answered “Warrants Unit” and claimed to be specific Sheriff’s Office employees which perpetuated the scam.
The Sheriff’s Office and the 6th Circuit Court advises that if anyone receives a call requesting money from a Court or Sheriff’s Office employee regarding fees for failing to appear for jury duty, they should immediately contact local law enforcement and under no circumstances make any payments.
“Anytime you receive an intimidating phone call from someone claiming to be in a position of authority and
they are demanding money, always report the incident to local law enforcement,” said Sheriff Bouchard. “Scam artists and unscrupulous persons looking to dupe honest people out of their hard earned dollars are always hard at work trying to trick honest people. If you suspect you are being scammed, there is a very good chance you are. Trust your instincts and report suspicious behavior to your local authorities.”
Residents receiving these types of phone calls can contact their local law enforcement agency or the Sheriff’s Office at (248) 858-4911.
Questions regarding jury duty service can be directed to the Oakland County Jury Office at (248) 858-0029. Additional information regarding jury duty service is available on the Circuit Court website at www.oakgov.com/courts/circuit/Pages/jury_service.aspx.
Read previous scam-related stories:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/13/savvy-senior-avoids-getting-tricked-by-scam/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/05/beware-of-125-corporation-filing-scam/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/08/beware-of-online-ticket-purchasing-scams/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/07/02/beware-of-text-message-scammers/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/06/05/beware-of-water-dept-scam/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/02/19/police-report-businesses-beware-of-fire-inspection-scam/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/11/william-riley-teaches-seniors-to-avoid-crime-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/11/william-riley-teaches-seniors-to-avoid-crime-video/
