Barnstable County, MA – Officials are warning residents to stay alert as reports of a persistent “jury duty” phone scam continue across Barnstable County this week.
According to the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office, multiple residents have received fraudulent calls claiming they missed jury duty and must pay fines or risk arrest. Authorities emphasized that the Sheriff’s Office never threatens fines or payments over the phone.
The department is reminding residents to never share personal or financial information, including Social Security numbers or online payment details such as Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards. Anyone receiving such a call should immediately hang up and verify through official channels.
“When in doubt, check it out,” the Sheriff’s Office advised, encouraging residents to contact authorities using verified non-emergency phone numbers before responding to any suspicious communication.
Officials also warn against clicking unfamiliar links in emails or text messages, as scammers often spoof legitimate numbers and websites.
The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone who believes they’ve been contacted by these scammers to file a report or alert local law enforcement.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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