CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A jury scam is targeting Chesapeake residents, Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office said.
The scammers are calling residents to claim they missed jury duty and must pay a bond immediately or they will be arrested. The callers attempt to use a scare tactic in order to get the resident to act quickly before they are able to process the legitimacy of the call.
Sometimes, the scammer emails/texts a fake “arrest warrant.” Other times the scammer uses the names of actual deputies, or dupes the CSO’s main number.
The Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office said they will never ask for payment over the phone. Law enforcement agencies do not serve court documents through text messages or email. Government departments do not accept payment through peer-to-peer payment apps, gift cards, in cash, or through kiosks at grocery stores or ATMs.
If a resident receives one of these calls, they should hang up and call the Sheriff’s office directly at 757-382-6159.
If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.