The Berks Weekly reports that Pennsylvania State Police are warning residents in Berks County about a jury duty warrant scam. Callers impersonate law enforcement officers and claim the victim has missed jury duty, resulting in a warrant for their arrest. The scammers then demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards or wire transfer to avoid being taken into custody.
According to authorities, these calls are fraudulent. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not notify individuals of warrants over the phone or demand payment to resolve them. The scammers often use spoofed numbers to appear as official police lines, increasing the believability of the threat.
State police urge anyone receiving such a call to hang up immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement. They also remind residents never to share personal or financial information with unknown callers and to verify any claims of missed jury duty directly with the county courthouse.