The Ware County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of a scam related to missing a federal court appearance or jury duty.
Scammers are calling or emailing citizens, claiming that person has missed a federal court appearance or jury duty. They use highpressure tactics, threatening you with arrest unless you pay a “fine” or “preemptive bail” right away.
Callers will try to keep targets on the phone and claim a deputy is already on the way to the person’s house, the news release said. They then will seek payment via Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency, Apple Pay, Venmo, Cash App, or gift cards.
The call may appear to come from the Sheriff’s Office or a local courthouse on your caller ID. The release also warned the criminals often use real names of local deputies, judges, and official-sounding legal jargon to sound legitimate.
Law enforcement and the federal courts never call, text, or email to demand payment to avoid arrest. Official business is mailed or personally served. Federal court notices almost always come via the U.S. Postal Service or personally served.
If you’re targeted, hang up immediately and do not provide personal or financial information. If you have questions, call WCSO at (912) 287-4326 or the clerk of courts the scammer says you missed.
