Sheriff’s Office issues phone scam warning

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens against a popular telephone scam.

During the scam, the caller says you did not report for jury duty and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. The call then says the warrant can be dismissed if you send them money through an online payment method.

The caller might also use the name of an administrative officer at the Sheriff’s Office or an elected official.

“These calls are always fraudulent,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. “The Sheriff’s Office will never call you and offer to settle a warrant over the phone for monetary payment.”

The Sheriff’s Office suggests a few options for citizens who receive this call.

• Ask for a number to call back after the you verify the call. The caller may push you to settle the warrant with cash, but this is not how the Sheriff’s Office would officially operate.
• Disconnect the call, knowing that it is a fraud.
• Ask the caller questions about his employment with the Sheriff’s Office and call the Sheriff’s Office to verify. The number is 669-4181.

“The Sheriff’s Office will never ask for money from you over the telephone,” the press release said. “If you have any questions about how we handle warrants or our daily operations, please call use before you send anyone money via the Internet.”