Monroe County, IN – Residents across Monroe County are being warned today after reports surfaced of scammers impersonating a sheriff’s office sergeant in an attempt to collect fake jury duty fines.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, callers are falsely claiming to be Sgt. Pittman and telling residents they must immediately pay a fine for allegedly missing jury duty or post bail to avoid arrest. Officials emphasized that these calls are fraudulent and not connected to the department in any way.
The sheriff’s office stressed that law enforcement will never call residents demanding payment, especially not through gift cards, prepaid cards, or mobile payment apps. Any request for immediate payment over the phone should be treated as a red flag.
Authorities say the scam is designed to create panic by using official-sounding titles and urgent threats of arrest. In some cases nationwide, similar scams have resulted in victims losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars before realizing the call was fake.
Residents who receive a call from someone claiming to be a member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and are unsure of its legitimacy are advised to hang up immediately. Officials recommend calling the sheriff’s office directly at 812-349-2781 to verify any claim.
The department also urges residents to share this warning with family members, especially older adults who are often targeted in phone scams.
Anyone who believes they may have been contacted by a scammer or who provided personal or financial information is encouraged to report the incident to local authorities.
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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