Washington County, TN – Residents across Washington County are being urged to stay alert this week after multiple reports of a growing jury duty phone scam, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). The agency issued the warning during Thanksgiving week, noting that callers are falsely claiming residents missed jury duty and must pay immediately to avoid arrest.
According to WCSO, the scammer typically pretends to be a deputy, using spoofed local numbers to sound legitimate. Callers then pressure victims to pay fines through bitcoin, gift cards, or other untraceable methods. Deputies emphasized that the department will never call residents about jury duty obligations and will never request payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or phone-based transactions.
The sheriff’s office added that any legitimate warrant for arrest would be served in person, not over the phone. Officials also reminded residents that Tennessee courts do not collect fines or fees related to jury duty through phone calls or online payment links.
The rise in scam attempts follows several similar incidents reported across East Tennessee in recent months, where scammers often target seniors or residents unfamiliar with court procedures. WCSO is urging anyone who receives a suspicious call to hang up immediately and contact the sheriff’s office directly for verification.
Residents who believe they may have shared personal or financial information with a scammer are advised to file a report with local law enforcement and monitor financial accounts closely.
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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