A jury duty scam is making its way around Tate County.
The Tate County Circuit Clerk’s Office recently posted on its Facebook page a local resident was contacted by a scammer requesting personal and banking information for missing jury duty. The scammer also instructed the individual to purchase a gift card and provide the number on the back or risk going to jail.
The Facebook post stated the caller did not fall for the scam and promptly contacted the Tate County Circuit Clerk’s Office to report it.
“These callers are professionals at scamming people and can say all the right stuff and give you information that sounds true but PLEASE always stay alert and NEVER give out personal information, bank information, or go get a gift card,” the post read. “The ‘Go to Jail’ phrase is their scare tactic.”
Here are some ways to protect yourself from jury duty scams:
• Courts send jury duty notices through the United States Post Office, not by phone
• Failure to appear is not grounds for immediate arrest
• Court officials never demand payment over the phone or via specific means
• Never pay an alleged fine with a gift card or money transfer
If you have questions or think you may have been scammed, contact the Tate County Circuit Clerk’s Office at 662-562-5211 or Tate County Sheriff’s Office at 662-562-4434.
