Once again, Newport News residents are reporting that they’re receiving “jury duty scam” phone calls. In this scam, a caller identifies himself as a member of the Newport News Sheriff’s Office. He says the person has missed jury duty and faces arrest.
Of course, the person can avoid going to jail by paying
a fine, usually a hefty one.
Of course, it’s not true and the Newport News Sheriff’s Office do not want people to fall for the call.
“If a person is wanted or believes they are wanted as a result of missing jury duty, they can call the Sheriff’s Office and ask. We will tell them if they are wanted in reference to jury duty,” stresses Major David Hughes. “We’re not going to make any phone calls in reference to that and we would never ask for money.”
Here are some tips to help keep you from becoming a victim:
-- No one from the Newport News Sheriff’s Office will ever call you to threaten arrest or demand money for missing jury duty.
-- All communication about jury duty is done through the mail.
-- Call us before you pay them! If you get a call like this, hang up and report it to the authorities where you live.
-- If the caller demands even a small amount, avoid the urge to just pay it.
-- Protect yourself: Never give out your personal information when you receive an unsolicited phone call.
You can get more information, learn how to file complaints and more
from the
Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division