Greg's Corner

The jury duty scam is more dangerous than it seems

By Greg Collier

Typically, in a jury duty or arrest warrant scam, fraudsters adopt the guise of law enforcement or judicial authorities to coerce their victims into parting with their money. The common narrative involves the perpetrators informing their targets of an outstanding warrant for their arrest, often fabricated under the pretext of missed jury duty obligations. Typically, these scams unfold over the phone, with the scammers demanding payment through channels that are difficult to trace, such as gift cards or cryptocurrency.

What sets these scams apart is the absence of direct physical interaction between the victim and the scammer, creating an illusion of safety despite the financial loss incurred. However, scammers are now employing more aggressive intimidation tactics to extract larger sums from their victims.

In Iowa, three individuals stand accused of orchestrating a fraudulent jury duty scheme that has reportedly victimized numerous residents in The Hawkeye State. In a chilling instance, a victim recounted receiving a call from three men who claimed she was the subject of a federal warrant for failure to appear and contempt of court. Purporting to be deputies from the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, two of the men, along with a third posing as a bail bonds agent, pressured the victim into believing she needed to surrender herself immediately to prove that the courts had not served her.

Under the guise of urgency, the scammers insisted she pay $5,000 promptly. They further deceived her by asserting that payment could not be made at the bail bonds office due to its location on federal property, a restriction purportedly tied to her warrant status. Succumbing to the pressure, the victim met one of the men behind the bail bonds office and handed over $5,000. She was then directed to the Pottawattamie County Jail to validate her bond payment. However, upon arrival, she realized she had fallen prey to a scam.

Although the victim emerged physically unscathed from this ordeal, it’s crucial to recognize that situations like these have the potential to escalate into violence with alarming ease. Fortunately, education serves as a potent antidote to such scams, offering individuals the tools they need to protect themselves from falling prey to deceitful tactics.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that legitimate police departments or law enforcement agencies will never contact individuals by phone regarding an outstanding warrant. Protocol dictates that individuals with active arrest warrants will be approached in person by law enforcement officers. Secondly, it’s essential to recognize that law enforcement personnel or agents will never solicit money over the phone. Any such request is a clear indicator of a scam. Lastly, it’s important to debunk the misconception that bail bonds offices are situated on federal property. While they are commonly located in close proximity to courthouses, bail bonds offices typically operate on private property.

If anyone receives a suspicious call fitting the description of these scams, the best course of action is to terminate the call immediately. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not arrest individuals for simply hanging up on a phone call. After ending the call, it’s advisable to reach out to your local police department and inform them of the incident. They are equipped to provide guidance and can confirm whether the call was indeed a scam, offering reassurance and potentially taking steps to investigate further.