Scammers are posing as court officials to snag your hard-earned cash in a devious plot uncovered by the local Superior Court. The courts warn folks about these faux officers who telephone unsuspecting victims, spinning a tale of missed jury duty, court fines, and looming arrest warrants. These crooks dupe citizens into believing they owe hundreds of dollars, with fines laid out in spookily precise figures like $300 for missed civic duty and a jaw-dropping $485 for contempt of court.
The scam plays out with a sinister simplicity: a call comes in, the voice on the line claims to represent the law, and you're suddenly on the hook for fines that seem legitimate. The San Diego Superior Court revealed that these con artists cooked up a story about a second chance at jury duty. Still, only after you pay up by acquiring a money order from a convenience store because, as they falsely claim, the "court doesn't take cash, checks or credit cards." Then they set the hook deeper, directing their marks to rendezvous outside the court or sheriff's office to hand over the dough.
In another twist, some of the swindled were convinced by someone masquerading as a court clerk, pressing them to settle their "outstanding warrant fine" in cold, hard cash only. Victims were coached to show up at a courthouse and look for a supposed court clerk who would be waiting at a kiosk.
But the court's cutting through this tangle of deceit. "People need to know that the Court will not call someone on the phone to remedy a court issue or fine," affirmed Michael Roddy, the Executive Officer of the San Diego Superior Court. In a timely warning, Roddy put it plain and clear: the court sends letters, not calls, and it surely takes checks and credit cards, debunking the scammer's cash-only line.
