WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) - The Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a jury duty scam circulating throughout the county.
Sheriff Michael Vorhees said scammers are calling residents and telling them they have missed jury duty and will be arrested unless they provide payment or personal information.
Vorhees said the scam is unusual because if a resident questions the caller, the scammer directs them to go to the sheriff’s office or call the office directly. Authorities also said scammers are using the sheriff’s office’s actual address and phone number to appear legitimate.
With the scam making the rounds, Vorhees outlined the proper jury duty notification process and emphasized that law enforcement will not demand payment or personal information over the phone.
"Number one, when we send out the questionnaire, you're going to know you are on jury duty. All the questionnaires come in an envelope that is mailed out from me, from the sheriff's office, has my name on the envelope, and you're going to know and you have to send that back. So, you're going to know, number one, that you're on jury duty, and if you're selected for jury duty, you're going to get a phone call from the court. The court is going to let you know that you've been selected for jury duty, so it's very simple. If you miss a jury duty, we're not going to threaten to put you in jail and make you pay any money up front. We're going to communicate with you probably over the phone or by mail," says Sheriff Michael Vorhees, Auglaize County.
Vorhees advises residents to hang up immediately if they receive a suspicious call.
