A new phone scam is targeting local residents, with fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officers and claiming individuals have missed jury duty.
The scammers use caller ID spoofing, making it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate sheriff’s office or police department. They even go so far as to use the real names of local officers found online, along with fake badge numbers, to convince victims they are in legal trouble.
“This has actually become quite a common scam,” said Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis.
The calls typically begin with the scammer introducing themselves as an officer before claiming the recipient failed to appear for jury duty.
“If you have an actual summons for jury duty, you will be served by a deputy,” Davis emphasized.
Victims are then told they must report to the station to avoid arrest and that there is an active warrant for them. To seem more legitimate, the scammer may provide a badge number and even encourage the victim to research their name online, which often matches real law enforcement officers.
“They were using a retired deputy’s name, saying, ‘You need to come in,’” said Martinsville Police Chief Robert Fincher. “They’ve done it with ours, they’ve done it with the city’s sheriff’s office.”
The scammers pressure victims into resolving the matter immediately, often by asking for money over the phone.
“No one from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office will ever call your home and ask for payment of any type over the phone—whether it be from cash, credit card, or any type of payment app,” Davis said.
Once the victim is panicked, the scammer offers a “solution”—paying a fine over the phone to “make the problem go away.”
While some legal matters do require fines, officers will never request payment by phone.
The fraudsters mask their real phone number using caller ID spoofing technology, making it appear as though the call is coming from a local law enforcement agency.
“If we or another agency have a warrant for you, we will come to you. You can never pay money and get out of a warrant—that is a scam,” Fincher said.
Because scammers route calls through multiple locations, often from overseas, tracking them down can be extremely difficult.
Local law enforcement urges anyone receiving a suspicious call to report it immediately.
“If you get one of these calls, contact your local law enforcement agency and let them know what was said,” Fincher said.
Authorities are actively working to identify the scammers, but due to their complex phone routing techniques, it remains a challenge.
“We try to find out who’s doing it,” Fincher said. “Then we want to pay them a visit—with a real warrant.”
Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to Scams:
*Never give out personal information over the phone.
*Verify any claims by calling your local law enforcement agency directly.
*Be cautious of urgent requests for payment or personal information.
*Know that law enforcement will never demand payment by phone.
If you or someone you know receives a suspicious call, report it immediately to local law enforcement by calling (276) 638-8751.
