Orangeburg, SC – Residents across Orangeburg County are being warned today about a renewed wave of phone scams involving fake claims of missed jury duty, according to the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Sheriff Leroy Ravenell, the department has seen an uptick in schemes where callers falsely tell victims they missed court, jury duty, or have an outstanding bench warrant. The callers then pressure victims to pay a supposed “fine” over the phone to avoid arrest. “There’s been a rise in the number of court-related scams,” Ravenell said. “Well, be the Grinch, and don’t give them a dime. You don’t pay for missed jury duty or pay for a bench warrant over the phone.”
Ravenell said he has been notified of multiple reports this week. In most cases, the scammer claims the victim failed to appear for jury service and now faces legal consequences. Some callers allegedly use the names of real Orangeburg County deputies to make the threat feel credible.
“But poof! If you pay a ‘fine,’ the scammer will get you out of it,” Ravenell said. “And they’ll use the names of some of my officers to make themselves seem like the real thing.”
The sheriff stressed that no law enforcement agency in South Carolina demands payment by phone, and legitimate warrants are never resolved through gift cards, payment apps, or phone transfers. Anyone receiving such a call is urged to hang up immediately and report it to the Orangeburg County Communications Center at 803-534-3550.
Residents who have already provided money or personal information are encouraged to file a report as soon as possible.
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