Jefferson County Sheriff's Office warns of phone scam demanding money – Deltaplex News

Jefferson County, Arkansas – June 6, 2024 – The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) is issuing a public warning regarding a recent phone scam reported by concerned citizens. We want to ensure the safety and security of our residents and prevent anyone from falling victim to this fraudulent activity.

The JCSO received several reports of telephone calls from the Sheriff's Office central number (870) 541-5351 involving an individual contacting citizens claiming to be JCSO personnel, stating that there were warrants for the individuals' arrest due to their failure to perform their jury duty.

Please note that these phone calls are fraudulent and any requests for money or personal information in such circumstances should be treated with extreme caution. They will look official and the person will look professional, but they are not representatives of the JCSO or the courts.

As a reminder, law enforcement will never ask for payment over the phone or for personally identifiable information that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Law enforcement and government agencies will never ask you to pay using unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, PayPal, Apple Pay, or cryptocurrencies.

Fraudsters search for potential victims on the Internet and social networks. Then, they call and trick their victims into thinking they are law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or police employees. Scammers can spoof law enforcement phone numbers and falsely appear on the victim's caller ID. They threaten victims with arrest due to outstanding arrest warrants or other legal issues. We suggest the following precautions, while emphasizing the importance of verifying the legitimacy of such calls or requests.

Do not send money or personal information: Legitimate law enforcement will not demand immediate payment over the phone.
Verify the Caller's Identity: If you receive a suspicious call, contact your local law enforcement agency to verify the identity of the caller and the existence of any warrants.
Beware of pressure tactics: Scammers often use threats and urgency to force people to make hasty decisions. Take your time to verify any claims.
Report any suspicious calls: If you receive a suspicious call, please report it to your local law enforcement agency.
If you receive a call claiming to be from a Jefferson County law enforcement agency or the District Attorney's Office, please confirm who you are speaking with. You may be able to confirm that this person is with the JCSO and acting in their official capacity by calling (870) 541-5351 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and ask to speak with Major John Bean, commander of operations. If the confirmation concerns the prosecutors' office, you can call (870) 541-5387 during the same period. If the call occurs after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or on weekends and you think it is a scam, call 911. A dispatcher or receptionist can verify the identity of the caller .

Report any scam calls to your local law enforcement agency. Please share this message with family and friends, especially older adults, to help prevent phone scams.

The JCSO is committed to protecting and serving our community, and we appreciate the continued support of our citizens in helping us achieve this mission.

If you have any information related to this incident or have been targeted by a similar scam, please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at (870) 541-5496.