Cumberland County residents being warned about a telephone scam in which the caller asks for money because of missed jury duty.
Sheriffs Department Lieutenant Gary Howard said the TBI contacted the sheriff’s department to let them know their special task force had found out about this illegal activity. Howard said the scammers are telling folks that they have to pay a $3,000 fine or risk going to jail.
“Scams have become prevalent everywhere,” Howard said. “And it’s all the same type of thing, either to get your information or to get money from you in some way. So, they’ll do it in different ways, but it’s always some degree of urgency, whether it’s jury duty or some other type of scam.”
Howard said these scammers are using the Sheriffs Department’s phone number. Howard said the sheriff’s department would never call you and ask for money.
“If something seems suspicious to you, don’t send money first and ask questions later,” Howard said. “Ask questions first before you ever think about sending any money and know who you are talking to, know who you’re sending to.”
Howard said the scams have evolved from phone calls to electronic messages via email or text. Howard said clicking on those can lead to your bank account being drained.
“So, you’re seeing more and more electronic type,” Howard said. “And so they prey on us at the time when we, number one, we want something for nothing, we have an urgency. If we don’t act now, we won’t get something. And the old adage that everyone has always said, if it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.”
