Crime & Safety

Latest Phone Scam Chastises Victims for Missing Jury Duty

The callers then demand they "pay the fine."

Authorities today warned Southlanders that scammers have been calling people and telling them there is a warrant for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty, then demanding money from them to "pay the fine."

The callers have falsely claimed that they are employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, according to sheriff's Lt. Sheri Anderson of the Fraud & Cyber Crimes Bureau.

"The caller will tell the victim that they have to pay a sum of money, or deputies will come and arrest them," Anderson said. "The caller will instruct the victim to either get a money order, conduct a wire transfer, or buy a gift card -- usually Green Dot -- and send it to 'pay the fine.' "

Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anderson said such calls soliciting money for the payment of fines are never made by the sheriff's department or any government agency.

Anyone receiving a suspicious phone call should call their local sheriff's station, or the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 593-8222. Complaints can be filed at the DCA website.

Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

--City News Service


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