The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a re-emerging phone scam involving fraudulent claims related to missed federal jury duty. Scammers are impersonating law enforcement officials, using spoofed phone numbers—including the official number of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office—to threaten individuals with arrest unless they pay a bogus fine.
These criminals often claim that the victim failed to appear for federal jury duty and must pay a “bond” of up to $3,000 to avoid immediate arrest. The scammers frequently instruct victims to purchase prepaid cards and provide the card numbers over the phone or to purchase bitcoin in a local machine. They may also request sensitive personal or financial information.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes: They do not call residents to demand payment or personal information, and the Sheriff’s Office never asks for money to resolve legal matters.
If you receive a call like this:
Do not provide any information.
Hang up immediately.
Do not send money or buy prepaid cards.
Report the call to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office or file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
“We want our community to be aware and on guard,” said Sheriff Casey Cox, Cumberland County Sheriff. “These scams prey on fear and confusion. If you ever receive a suspicious call, trust your instincts and contact us directly BEFORE taking any action.”
For further questions or to report suspicious activity, please contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at (931) 484-6176.