07/17/2025
We wanted to inform you all about a prevalent scam affecting our area. Scammers are impersonating law enforcement officials and frightening victims by claiming they have outstanding citations for failing to appear in court for jury duty. They often use the names of local judges to "issue" these citations, which might include charges like failure to appear or contempt of court.
These scammers will falsely assert that a citation was sent in the mail and signed for, and make you think someone else could have signed for it. They can be extremely demanding and manipulative while also trying to isolate the victims so that no one else can hear the conversation. They are adept at spoofing the phone numbers for the County Circuit Court, making it look as if they are calling from that number.
If you mention that you plan to visit the courthouse for clarification, they will likely provide various excuses to dissuade you. They typically try to get payment through Apple Pay for iPhone users or cryptocurrency/gift cards for other devices. If threatened, they may claim they will send deputies to your home to intimidate you further.
If you receive such a call, simply hang up. Scammers are skilled at providing real names, badge numbers, addresses, and phone numbers, as this information is publicly available. They prey on law-abiding citizens who want to clear their names and resolve the situation. Please be cautious and spread the word to help protect others.
