FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
December 4, 2014
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
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AG STRANGE WARNS OF JURY DUTY SCAM
(MONTGOMERY) -Attorney General Luther Strange warns of a scam
spreading throughout Alabama. Someone pretending to be law enforcement, or
with the court, calls the victim — often an elderly person — and threatens him
with arrest for missing jury duty, but then offers to handle the matter for money,
over the telephone. Circuit clerks around the state have reported increasing
incidents in the last several weeks, with the scam artists growing more and more
sophisticated in their efforts to trick people.
The scammer usually informs the victim there is a warrant for his arrest for
failing to report for jury duty. He, or she, then advises that bond has been
ordered, sometimes dropping a local judge’s name for effect, and reassures the
victim the whole matter can be settled without him being arrested if he will just
agree to purchase a pre-paid credit card and pay the bond over the phone.
Victims have sometimes been instructed to go to a specific dollar store to obtain
such a card.
These calls are placed from pre-paid cell phones with local telephone
numbers. These scams have been reported recently in an increasing number of
Alabama counties, including Autauga, Butler, Coffee, Colbert, Covington,
Etowah, Houston, Morgan and Tuscaloosa counties.
Attorney General Strange cautions, “Please know, you will not be
threatened with arrest, nor be asked to pay any fine, or post any bond in this
manner. If, for any reason, the courts have an issue with you, you would usually
be notified in writing and be ordered to contact the clerk’s office, either in person
or by telephone. Impersonating a law enforcement officer and misrepresenting
the judicial process to frighten and trick people out of money is a serious crime,
and we hope anyone who receives such a call will report it to their local law
enforcement and court officials.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
