A new scam wave is targeting Clark County residents, claiming they have missed jury duty and must provide private information and payment to avoid being jailed.
Clark County Superior Court Administration said in a statement Thursday the court has received approximately 20 emails and phone calls about the scam in the past week alone.
“Clark County Superior Court and Clark County District Court do not initiate calls about warrants, fines, fees or other forms of payments for jury service,” the statement reads. “Clark County courts would never ask residents for money over the phone.”
According to the court, scammers are contacting residents, telling them they’ve missed jury duty. The scammer then says the victim must meet with someone and provide bank, credit card or other information to avoid jail time.
The court said the scam has occurred over the phone but also through other means.
Scammers have claimed a citation for a bench warrant has been issued for missed jury duty.
Scammers have identified themselves as law enforcement and provided a badge and phone number, even going so far as calling from a fake Clark County Sheriff’s Office phone number.
The court said the scammers may ask for the victim’s name, address or Social Security number and tell them to stay on the phone.
Some victims said callers directed them to meet with cash or pay for the citation over the phone.
“All of these statements are fraudulent,” the court’s statement reads. “These scammers can be quite convincing”
Cheryl Stone, Superior Court administrator, advised residents who receive calls like this to refrain from giving personal information or paying any sum of money.
“Obtain as much information as you can about the caller, and report it to your local police department or the sheriff’s office,” Stone said.
