The Henry County Sheriff’s Office issued a recent release to alert Martinsville and Henry County residents about a new type of scam in which residents are notified that they have missed jury duty and law enforcement is enroute to arrest them.
The caller then tells the resident they can avoid arrest if they pay a fine, according to the release.
The address and telephone number of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office is being used in connection with the scam, and residents also are told to not to come to the Sheriff’s Office to pay the fine because of the bottom floor of the building being flooded, the release stated.
Rather, the scammers direct residents to pay through other means, including gift cards, Green Dot MoneyPak cards, etc., according to the release.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office does not collect fines for the courts. This is only accomplished through the court system.
Authorities are encouraging residents to be leery of this and other types of calls to keep from being a victim.
If you receive a call and are unsure as to its legitimacy, call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office or any other law enforcement agency for advice.
Numerous citizens have contacted the Henry County Sheriff’s Office to make us aware of this and other types of scams, even when they are not victimized. Those efforts are appreciated and keeps authorities apprised of the new or continuing tactics being used by scammers, the release stated.
Banking institutions and government agencies, such as the judicial system and law enforcement, will not contact individuals by telephone in regards to arrests, fines, etc. This is accomplished through mailings or personal contact. Receiving a call from these organizations is a sign of a possible scam.
Anyone who has been victimized by a scam, or has information on suspected scammers, is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2,500 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.