NEWS RELEASE
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2016) – Today Attorney General Beshear issued a Scam Alert to help Kentuckians avoid falling victim to a “jury duty” telephone scam.
The U.S. Marshals Service recently warned of the scam sweeping much of the country and reports of such calls have now been made to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.
The caller, who pretends to be a U.S. Marshal, court worker or other federal or state law enforcement authority, claims you failed to appear for jury duty and must pay a fine immediately over the phone or risk arrest.
“If you get this type of call hang up,” said Attorney General Beshear. “Law enforcement officers and other federal and state authorities will not call to arrange immediate payment of fines over the phone for missing jury duty.”
Beshear said other similar scams have been reported in Kentucky this year, including the “deputy sheriff” scam where scammers tell callers they are a deputy sheriff who can help them resolve a federal warrant that has been issued against them for a fee.
Beshear provided these tips to help defend Kentuckians who receive these calls.
Never trust the information provided by the caller.
The caller may pretend to have information like badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials, courthouse addresses and phone numbers. Never trust the caller and always verify information independently.
Never pay over the phone using gift cards or reloadable credit cards.
Scammers typically use gift cards and reloadable cards as their preferred method of payment because they are almost impossible to track and recover.
Never provide your personal or financial information to unknown callers.
Even if the caller seems legitimate, never provide your information to an unknown person or company.
One of Beshear’s top priorities is to protect Kentucky consumers, especially senior citizens from scams, abuse and exploitation.
To report a scam contact the Attorney General’s Office at 888-432-9257 and file a complaint online.
Kentuckians are urged to stay up to date on new and trending scams by signing up for Scam Alerts. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or enroll online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.