JOHNSON
By William Moore
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Several Lee County residents have fallen victim to a new scam involving missed jury duty and the threat of an arrest.
“In the last week, we have gotten several calls about this scam,” said Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson. “The caller claims to be a Lee County deputy and tells the person they missed jury duty. Most people will believe they either didn’t get the summons for jury duty or overlooked the letter and fall for the scam.”
The caller tells the person that since they failed to show up for jury duty, there is an outstanding warrant for their arrest. The scammer then offers the person a chance to pay a fine instead of being arrested.
“One call went as far as to say (Justice Court Judge John Hoyt) Sheffield had issued the warrant and a civil fine,” said Johnson. “They can sound real believable. We had one guy send them $1,500.”
The court system will never call someone about missing jury duty. In rare instances, the judge could order a deputy to physically go to someone’s house and bring them back to court to answer before the judge.
“The best thing you can do is just hang up on them,” said Johnson.
william.moore@journalinc.com