Scammer Uses Real Emergency Details in Jury Duty Scam

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new twist on a familiar scam involving fake federal jury duty charges.

The sheriff’s office recently received a report from a community member who was targeted after a legitimate emergency response at her home.

According to the report, a smoke alarm at the woman’s residence had activated, prompting CPI to contact her and local firefighters to respond to the home.

Shortly afterward, the woman received a phone call from someone falsely claiming to be with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office. The caller said he was “checking in” on her following the earlier incident and was able to provide specific details about the alarm activation and the fire department’s response.

The information made the call initially appear legitimate.

After gaining the woman’s trust, the scammer claimed she had been charged with failing to appear for federal jury duty and attempted to convince her to send money.

Fortunately, the woman recognized the warning signs before she lost any money.

It is not currently known how the scammer obtained details about the earlier emergency. The sheriff’s office noted that one possibility is that the information may have been obtained through publicly accessible fire or EMS radio traffic or an online scanner feed. If details such as an address, name, alarm activation or alarm company were broadcast, a scammer could potentially use that information to make a fraudulent call appear legitimate.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents:

• The Sheriff’s Office will never demand payment over the phone to avoid arrest.

• Never provide financial or personal information to an unsolicited caller.

• Do not send money, purchase gift cards, transfer cryptocurrency or follow instructions to withdraw cash.

• Be aware that caller ID can be manipulated to display the name or phone number of a legitimate agency.

• If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly using a verified phone number.

Scammers often use fear, urgency and personal information to gain a victim’s trust.

Pause. Hang up. Verify.