Chesterfield County, VA – Residents across central Virginia are being warned today about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to represent the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office and threaten legal action over supposed missed jury duty or court appearances.
According to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, multiple reports have come in over the past several weeks from residents who say they were contacted by scammers using different names while posing as sheriff’s office employees. The callers typically claim the victim failed to appear for jury duty or court and must make an immediate payment to avoid arrest.
Authorities stress these calls are fraudulent.
The Sheriff’s Office says it will never demand payment over the phone, instruct someone to pay money to “make a charge go away,” or ask residents to meet a deputy to pay using prepaid cards or other non-traceable payment methods.
Officials also reminded residents that legitimate arrest warrants can be viewed online by visiting Chesterfield.gov and searching for “active warrants.” Any real legal action would follow formal procedures and would not be handled through threatening phone calls.
Law enforcement urges residents to hang up immediately if they receive one of these calls and not to provide personal or financial information. Victims or anyone who believes they were targeted by this scam are encouraged to contact the Chesterfield County Police Department at 804-748-1251.
Scams impersonating law enforcement agencies have been reported across Virginia and nationwide, often increasing during tax season and jury selection periods. Authorities say public awareness is one of the strongest tools to stop scammers from succeeding.
Residents are encouraged to share this warning with friends and family, especially older adults who are frequently targeted.
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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