St. Joseph County Police Department warns of jury duty scam

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The St. Joseph County Police Department reports there's been a recurring scam recently where someone is attempting to get residents to pay money due to missing jury duty or an outstanding warrant in St. Joseph County.

Police say the scammers are now using a screenshot of a fake court order.

Fake court order used by scammers

The latest scam involves a phone call or text message using the name of an actual county police officer stating a judge has issued a warrant demanding the victim's arrest and demanding payment of funds to avoid the arrest.

The screenshot to the victim is a fake order purportedly issued by St. Joseph Circuit Court Judge John Broden.

Police say the scammers then instruct victims to make a payment via Bitcoin, CoinStar, PayPal, Venmo, gift cards, or a deposit of cash into a bank account number.

Authorities remind residents to be aware and alert.

Police say the callers can be very convincing and persuasive, using fear to cloud the victim's judgment while the caller attempts to get the victim to act quickly without thinking.

St. Joseph County Courts don't issue warrants for arrest for failing to appear for jury duty and the St. County Sheriff Department doesn't call doesn't residents informing them of a warrant or court order for their arrest.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department also doesn't allow you to pay funds over the phone to avoid arrest on a warrant.

If you receive a call threatening arrest, police say you should tell the caller you're going to hang up and call the county police or court to verify the warrant or order.

Residents can also report the call by calling 911.

The callers often use spoofing apps to make it appear legitimate on victims' caller ID.

The call may even look like it's coming from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, and some have recently been from what look like county government numbers with 574-235 or 574-245 prefixes.

Police say scammers even leave messages telling victims to call (574) 227-1626.

Authorities say unfortunately, in the past six weeks at least two St. Joseph County residents have fallen prey to the scammers, losing a combined total of $8,200.