If you’ve received a call demanding you pay a fine are have an arrest warrant for missing jury duty, hang up. It’s a scam. Local officials are urging the public to be aware of an increase in such calls.
Daviess County Circuit Clerk Jennifer Besecker said her juror administrators and the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office have received numerous calls regarding someone being asked to pay a fine for missing jury duty.
“Neither my office, nor any police agency/office, will never call you demanding that you pay a fine for missing jury duty,” Besecker said. “Our judges do not issue warrants if you miss jury duty. If you receive one of these phone calls, hang up immediately.”
If you have any concerns about one of these calls or want to check the status of your jury duty service, Besecker said to call her office at 270-687-7061 or 270-687-732 to speak directly to her staff. You can also call DCSO at 270-685-8444.
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and Owensboro Police Department have shared similar messages following recent scam attempts where callers impersonated law enforcement officers.
Earlier this year, DCSO Captain Jeff Payne noted the agency had received reports about people calling and claiming to be DCSO staff and then asking for payments over the phone because of “missed court dates or unpaid fines.”
“They are very convincing and they always make it urgent,” Payne said. “Ask for a number to call back and then call a known law enforcement number .. if they say they cannot wait, it’s a scam. Do not let them transfer you as they will transfer you to one of their scammers posing as law enforcement.”
Just last week, OPD issued a notice that scammers were making phone calls posing as officers and asking for money.
“Please be aware that our citizens are being contacted by an unknown person (or group) that is pretending to be affiliated with the Owensboro Police Department. We are receiving multiple reports that the police department’s number will show up on your caller ID and it’s been reported that they are using officer names,” according to a release from OPD. “These individuals are telling people that they missed jury duty and they have been fined a large amount money. … Owensboro Police Department will never contact you and request money or make threats to arrest unless money is paid.”
You can find more information about phone scams and other scenarios that are typically used by visiting ftc.gov/scams or reporting a scam at ftc.gov/complaint.
