The “jury duty scam” that has circulated around the nation for several years has made its way back to the Antelope Valley, local law enforcement officials warn. The following is a community advisory from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been advised that citizens are receiving phone calls from individuals who are representing themselves as Department employees.
The caller usually tells the citizen that there has been a warrant issued for their arrest for failure to appear for Jury Duty. The caller will tell the victim that they have to pay a sum of money or deputies will come and arrest them.
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.”
BE ALERT, BE ADVISED, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or any Government Agency will NEVER call and solicit money for fines. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department does not solicit warrant information by phone. The Sheriff’s Department or any Government Agency will NEVER ask you to get a Money Order, Gift Card, or wire transfer. Sheriff Department personnel will never go to your home to collect a fee for a warrant.
BE AWARE, NEVER give your personal information to anyone over the phone. DO NOT give callers information about your bank account, pin numbers, Social Security number or any type of identifying information.
Phone Scam Thieves are just that, “thieves.” They will try and trick you into giving them money and information. If you receive a call, protect yourself, your information and DO NOT SEND MONEY!
If you receive a phone call, always verify who the caller truly is, DO NOT use a phone number they provide you as verification. Usually numbers provided by the thief will go to a voice recording/message. Call your local Sheriff Station to verify any solicitation.
If you have sent money or believe that you are a victim of a crime, please call your local Sheriff’s Station or Police Department and report the incident.
If you receive a suspicious phone call/solicitation that you believe is not from a real government agency, contact The Department of Consumer Affairs at 800-593-8222. You can also file a complaint on the DCA website at dca.lacounty.gov.