*************************Scam Warning!!**************************** Some person in the local area is again attempting to scam local citizens by telling them they owe bogus fines for missing jury duty. The scam is being perpetrated this time by a man who claims to be Sheriff Detective Craig Allen, Badge number 589. The fake detective claims that Judge Paul Clement has issued a warrant for the called parties arrest for missing jury duty. The victim is then told that they can avoid being arrested and going to jail and court if they choose to by paying their fine with a Visa gift card over the phone to Detective Allen. This time the victim was told that her Fine was for $4200, payable immediately. We want to assure you that there is no Detective Craig Allen on the Sheriffs Department; nor is there a Judge Paul Clement anywhere in this County. The Sheriffs Department does not collect fines for missing Jury Duty, and we never collect fines from citizens over the phone. No legitimate government agency will ask you to pay any fine with a reloadable gift card as the preferred and only option to pay fines or fees. Scammers prey on people with these official sounding phone calls and make threats of incarceration to make good people feel desperate and concerned. Please dont fall into the trap. Dont give your personal information out to someone who calls you. Do not pay someone over the phone with a gift card unless you initiated the purchase. If you are suspicious verify that the person contacting you is who he says he is. For those who claim to be with the Sheriffs Department contact 911. If someone is contacting you in person ask for ID if you have doubts. All Sheriffs Department personnel carry photo identification. To check for warrants through Sedgwick County call 316-660-3960 or go to https://sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffwarrants to check for persons wanted on warrants by name. When in doubt, double check.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 19:53:36 +0000