Scam Alert! – The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

It’s an old scam with a new twist

The FBI Field Office in Charlotte along with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina have issued a warning about a jury duty scam involving fake federal arrest warrants.

Law enforcement officials say that the scammers will call or send emails claiming that you have missed reporting for jury duty, which has led to a federal warrant issued for your arrest.

Sometimes, scammers use caller ID spoofing technology to make phone calls appear like they are coming from a legitimate source, like a courthouse. To add additional credibility to their claims, the scammers either text or email a fake arrest warrant with the names of actual North Carolina federal law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or judges.

The victims are told to pay a fine via a virtual currency machine or kiosk to avoid jail time. Scammers often lean more heavily in suggesting their victims make virtual currency payments. Those types of payment are more difficult to trace and easily moved to other financial wallets controlled by the fraudsters.

While missing jury duty is a fineable offense in North Carolina, courts and sheriff’s offices will never request payment information, social security numbers or sensitive information over the phone. Legitimate arrest warrants are not emailed or texted as they are served in person by a law enforcement officer or court official and never include a demand for payment to avoid jail time.

Use the following advice to avoid falling victim to any type of scam:

Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or texts.

Do not give money or personal information to anyone you don’t know.

Trust your instincts and hang up on any caller who makes you feel pressured or uncomfortable.

Verify the authenticity of legal claims against you with the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officials.

If you believe you have been a victim of a jury duty scam or other fraudulent scheme, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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