The office of Alamance County’s sheriff is urging area residents to be on guard for deceptive calls about federal jury duty from a con man who claims to be with the local sheriff’s department.
According to the sheriff’s office, this scam artist has contacted people in the guise of a sheriff’s lieutenant claiming that they owe money for “missed federal jury duty.” The scammer’s recorded phone messages direct the recipient to call 336-525-5330 – a number with no connection to the sheriff’s office.
Those who’ve dialed these digits have been greeted by an outgoing recording that states “you have reached the sheriff’s office.” If the caller selects any option, the scammer comes on the line and attempts to complete the confidence trick.
The sheriff’s office notes that this scammer may change the call-back number at frequent intervals. Yet, the agency insists that none of these numbers are legitimate contacts for law enforcement.
“Neither the ACSO nor any other law enforcement agency will call asking for money for a missed jury date, missed court date, or bonds,” the sheriff’s office goes on to warn area residents.
In addition, federal jury summons lie outside the purview of local sheriff’s departments, which are responsible only for trials conducted by North Carolina’s state court system.
The sheriff’s office encourages anyone who receives one of these fraudulent messages to call 9-1-1 or contact the agency switchboard at 336-570-6300 to talk with an actual deputy.
