Asheville Police Warns of ‘Sophisticated’ Jury Duty Scam
In a recent turn of events, the Asheville Police Department has issued a stern warning to the community regarding an intricate and “sophisticated” scam that is presently targeting residents. According to the police officers, the scammers are reaching out to potential victims via phone calls or emails, falsely claiming that the recipients have failed to show up for jury duty.
Scammers’ Modus Operandi
These scam artists are reportedly telling victims there’s a federal warrant out for their arrest consequent on their failure to report for jury duty. As part of their intricate scheme, the fraudsters have been sending out counterfeit arrest warrants complete with the real names of law enforcement officials. They even manipulate caller IDs to make it appear as if the call is being placed from a government agency or a courthouse.
The Ruse for Money
The scammers then demand the victims to provide payment, instructing them to use virtual currency machines or kiosks, supposedly to “evade jail time.” Some victims have even been instructed to take a transaction receipt to the Asheville Police Department for “filing.”
Legitimate Arrest Warrants are Never Emailed or Texted
The police, however, reiterated that genuine arrest warrants are neither emailed nor texted. These are served in person. As such, they are advising residents to be on high alert for any unsolicited calls and requests for personal information or monetary payment.
If anyone receives any suspicious call demanding payments, they have been advised to hang up immediately and contact their local authorities. Additionally, if anyone had fallen victim to the alleged jury duty scam, they are encouraged by the authorities to report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
How To Avoid Falling Victim
The authorities have recommended several ways for the public to stay safe against this sophisticated scam. Here are a few tips:
- Be wary of any unsolicited or unexpected call claiming to be from law enforcement or judicial institutions.
- Never provide personal information or payment to anyone over the phone or via email without verifying the requester’s identity first.
- Report any suspicious or unusual activity to your local law enforcement agency immediately.
- Remember that real arrest warrants are not sent through text or email but are delivered in person by law enforcement officials.
As a final word, everyone is reminded to remain vigilant and well-informed about the latest tactics used by scammers. Reporting any suspicious activities can aid in thwarting these scammers from exploiting more innocent victims.
