Plattsburgh, NY – Authorities in Clinton County are alerting residents to a sophisticated new scam involving jury duty, where scammers posing as law enforcement officials are deceiving people into paying fines to avoid fictitious arrest warrants. Officials have observed an uptick in reports from citizens who have been contacted via phone by individuals claiming to represent the local sheriff’s department.
These scammers typically tell potential victims that they have failed to appear for jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. They then instruct the person to pay a so-called “fine” through various non-traditional payment methods including prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or even digital currencies, to rectify the situation.
Sheriff David Favro of Clinton County warns that these calls are fraudulent and emphasizes that no court or law enforcement agency would handle matters in such a manner. The official procedure for missed jury duty does not involve unsolicited phone calls demanding immediate payment of fines.
The scammers often employ tactics to instill fear and urgency, sometimes using personal information gleaned from public databases or social media to convince their targets of the call’s legitimacy. These tactics may include using correct names, addresses, or even badge numbers of real officers.
Residents who receive such calls are strongly advised to hang up immediately and contact the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office directly using a verified number to report the incident or to verify any claims made over such calls.
In an effort to increase awareness, local authorities are initiating community outreach and education programs to inform the public on how to recognize and report such scams. These programs aim to reinforce that legitimate agencies do not contact individuals in this threatening manner nor solicit payments in any form over the phone.
This issue is not just local but part of a larger pattern of phone scams proliferating across various regions. The rise in technological accessibility and social media use makes it easier for scammers to carry out such schemes.
Residents are encouraged to review guidelines available on the official Clinton County website and other reputable sources to familiarize themselves with the common signs of phone scams and the best practices for protection against fraud.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to combating these fraudulent activities and urges anyone who believes they might have been a target of such a scam to report it immediately, aiding the process of tracking down and stopping these criminals.
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