Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office warning of phone call scam impersonating law enforcement, requesting money

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. – Authorities in Jefferson County are warning of a recent phone call scam impersonating law enforcement and requesting payment.

In a Thursday release, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office officials warned that they have received multiple reports of phone calls from scammers posing as JCSO officials and claiming that were arrest warrants for those they called due to missing jury duty.

“Please be mindful that these phone calls are fraudulent, and any requests for money or personal information under such circumstances should be treated with extreme caution,” officials said. “They will look official, and the person will sound professional, but they are not representatives of the JCSO or the courts.”

JCSO officials said authorities will never ask for payment over the phone nor personal information that could be used for fraudulent purposes.

Authorities added that law enforcement and government agencies will never ask for payment through unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, PayPal, Apple Pay or cryptocurrency.

In the release, JCSO highlighted precautions to take when you receive a potential scam phone call.

• Do not send money or personal information : Legitimate law enforcement agencies will not demand immediate payment over the phone.
• Verify the caller’s identity : If you receive a suspicious call, contact your local law enforcement agency to verify the caller’s identity and the existence of any warrants.
• Be cautious of high-pressure tactics : Scammers often use threats and urgency to force individuals into making hasty decisions. Take your time to verify any claims.
• Report any suspicious calls : If you receive a suspicious call, please report it to your local law enforcement agency.

Officials with JCSO said that if you receive a call claiming to be Jefferson County authorities or the Prosecutor’s Office, you can confirm the identity of the caller with the JCSO by calling 870-541-5351 on Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ask to speak with Major John Bean. If the call confirmation is for the Prosecutor’s Office you can call 870-541-5387 during the same time period.

The sheriff’s office asks anyone who may have been targeted by this scam to contact the JCSO at 870-541-5496.

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