In an alarming new scam, perpetrators call victims, claiming to be employees of the Sheriff's Office, and threaten arrest for failing to show up for jury duty. Recipients of these calls are informed that a warrant is being issued in their name, but that they can rectify the situation and evade imprisonment by paying a fee. This most recent swindle has prompted official warnings from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
To lend credibility to their deceit, the scammers make use of actual names and titles of Sheriff's Office employees, employing legal and police jargon in an attempt to further intimidate their victims. Such calculated cunning shows the lengths to which these malicious actors will go in their pursuit of dishonest gains.
However, it is essential for the public to be aware that these calls are part of an elaborate scam, and should not be heeded. The Sheriff’s Office does not request payments in such a manner, nor do they accept payments via money transfer apps. Any individual who believes they have been targeted by this scam is urged to contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Investigation Section at 708-865-4896 or the non-emergency number at 847-635-1188 as advised.
For those who find themselves on the receiving end of such a call, it is crucial to avoid sending money or providing personal information to the caller. Instead, they must be vigilant and take immediate steps to report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
