Vermont Business Magazine The Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office are warning consumers about a jury duty telephone scam. Many consumers in Chittenden County have reported receiving calls from a person claiming to be a Deputy Sheriff with the Civil Division of the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office or an Elected Official in the Vermont court system; names of actual local deputies or local elected officials are being used in the calls.This is not a call from law enforcement; it is a scam call.
The caller claims that the consumer has missed jury duty, that an arrest warrant has been issued, and that the consumer must pay a several hundred dollar fine via wire transfer or a prepaid money card or face arrest. The scam callers direct the consumer to go to a local pharmacy or store to buy the debit card or wire the money (using MoneyGram or Western Union).
The caller may leave a message with a call back number. That number is linked to a recorded message saying it is the office of the Civil Division of the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office. This recording is part of the scam.
If you receive a call from someone claiming you have missed jury duty and that you owe a fine, hang up the phone. Neither local law enforcement nor staff of the Vermont court system would ask for a fine to be paid via wire transfer or pre-paid debit card.
If you receive this message on your answering machine, delete the message. Do not call back or attempt to engage with the scammers.
If you have questions or concerns about this or any other scam, please contact the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program at 800-649-2424 or write to Consumer Assistance Program, 146 University Place, 103 Morrill Hall, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405.
Vermont AG: August 28, 2015