The Jefferson County sheriff's office is warning residents this week about a scam involving calls about warrants for contempt of court and failure to appear for jury duty.
An elderly Jefferson County man was among several other residents who received a call from a man who identified himself as "Sergeant Harper" and "Corporal Edwards" with "Jefferson County Sheriff's Office," a news release said.
During one call, the man advised the 81-year-old that the warrants would be dismissed if he paid fines, the release said. The daughter of the elderly man contacted the sheriff's office to confirm, at which time she quickly learned that her father had been preyed upon by a scammer, the release added.
Another elderly, would-be victim was told by a caller that she had an outstanding warrant for her arrest for failure to appear for jury duty, the release said. She was then instructed by the caller to obtain a prepaid credit card and provide the card number over the phone to satisfy payment for the fines, the release said.
The Jefferson County sheriff's office advised residents that law enforcement officers would never call and ask for personal or financial information over the telephone, nor would they suggest that warrants could be satisfied by purchasing a prepaid credit card.
The office also reminded residents not to provide unknown callers with personal information such as birth dates, Social Security numbers or banking information.
State Desk on 08/27/2014