LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- For the past couple weeks, people said they've been received calls from the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office about missed jury duty, with threats of jail time if they don't pay a fine.
You might think you won't fall for it, but many have.
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Lt. Cody Burk said this scam happens every few months and this time the caller is using his name.
Here's how it typically happens: the caller says you've missed jury duty and that there's a warrant out for your arrest. Then, they advise you to pay a fine of up to two thousand dollars with a prepaid debit card.
“No law enforcement agency would have you pay a fine over the phone or have you get a prepaid debit card to pay the fine,” Lt. Burk said. "We don't do our business over the phone, it would be in person and a clerk would take the money in person.”
Burke said the latest victim lost 12 hundred dollars, and once that happens there's no way to recoup the money.
Plus, the calls aren't easy to trace.
“They're on the internet and they spoof numbers that they call from so they may be in another country or state so it's hard to identify over the internet,” Lt. Burk said.
So if you've missed jury duty, be on alert and remember to contact the agency in question if you have any concerns, and never call the number the scammer gives you.