Lake County, Florida – Authorities are warning residents after scammers allegedly posed as sheriff’s officials, demanding jury duty payments.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement has recently received multiple calls reporting fraudulent phone calls claiming recipients missed jury duty. Investigators say the callers spoof official Lake County Sheriff’s Office phone numbers, making the calls appear to come from the agency’s main line, the Lake County Jail, the Communications Center, or even current employees.
The scammer allegedly tells the victim they failed to appear for jury duty and pressures them to remain on the phone while demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest or additional penalties. Officials say the requested payments are typically made through prepaid Green Dot cards, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, or similar services.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that no legitimate government agency will ever request payment for jury duty fines or fees using peer-to-peer payment apps, prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, or cash deposits.
Residents who receive a suspicious call are urged not to provide personal information or send money. Instead, authorities recommend hanging up and independently contacting law enforcement to verify the claim.
Anyone concerned about a call can contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 352-343-9500 and request to speak with a deputy. Reports can also be submitted online at www.LCSO.org.
The warning is particularly relevant for residents who may be unfamiliar with jury procedures, including students, young workers, and first-time jurors, who are often targeted by high-pressure tactics.
Officials say the investigation into the reported scam calls is ongoing and encourage residents to share the alert with family members and neighbors to reduce the risk of further victims.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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