Local authorities are issuing an urgent warning of an ongoing phone scam involving jury duty summons. Scammers impersonating law enforcement officials, including using the names of local judges and the Susanville Police Department, are calling claiming that you have failed to report for jury summons and there is a warrant for your arrest.
The callers then demand immediate payment of a fine, typically requesting payment through prepaid gift cards or debit cards to resolve the alleged warrant.
Detective R. Warner of the Susanville PD says key points of the scam include, scammers using official-sounding titles and even provide fake case numbers and police department contact details to appear legitimate, the demanded fines are often requested in the form of untraceable methods, and you are pressured to act quickly to avoid arrest, using fear and urgency to compel you to comply.
The Susanville Police Department has confirmed that they are in no way connected to these calls. The department stresses that legal matters involving warrants are handled in person at the courthouse, not over the phone. Payments for legal issues are never solicited through unsolicited phone calls, especially not through unsecured methods like gift cards.
Warner provides some tips on how to respond to these calls:
- Do not engage with the caller or provide any personal, financial, or sensitive information.
- Report the incident immediately to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center
- If your personal details, such as your Social Security Number, have been shared, contact the Social Security Office immediately.
Authorities stress that any legitimate contact from the Lassen County Superior Court regarding jury service will only be made through official mail, not via phone calls.
The Community is urged to stay vigilant and inform others about these fraudulent activities to prevent further victimization.
