Sheriff's Office says phone scam asks for money, information

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is issuing a public warning regarding a recent phone scam reported by concerned citizens. JCSO wants to ensure the safety and security of residents and prevent anyone from becoming a victim of this fraudulent activity.

The JCSO received several reports of telephone calls from the Sheriff's Office central number (870) 541-5351 in which an individual claimed to be a member of the JCSO and stated that there were warrants for the individuals' arrest due to of their failure to perform their duties as jurors.

These phone calls are fraudulent and any requests for money or personal information in such circumstances should be treated with extreme caution. The person will appear professional, but they do not represent the JCSO or the courts, according to the JCSO.

Law enforcement will never request payment over the phone or ask for personally identifiable information that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Law enforcement and government agencies will never ask residents to pay through 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.

The JCSO suggests the following precautions:

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, 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, confirm who you are speaking with by calling (870) 541-5351 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask to speak with the major. John Bean, operations commander.

If the confirmation concerns the prosecutor's office, you can call (870) 541-5387 during the same period. If the call occurs after 5 p.m. on weekdays or weekends and you think it's a scam, call 911. A dispatcher or receptionist can verify the caller's identity.

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.

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