COLUMBUS, Ohio — A sophisticated jury duty scam is targeting residents in central Ohio, with scammers impersonating officials from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Recently, local resident Erika Karl nearly fell victim to this elaborate scheme, sharing her unsettling experience.
On Thursday afternoon, Karl received several calls from a blocked number. When she answered, an automated message emerged, stating that the call was being monitored and recorded. The man on the line claimed to be a sheriff’s deputy notifying her of missed jury duty, asserting that she was now in contempt of court.
Karl expressed immediate concern, stating, “I did not receive this summons. What can I do to correct this?” Following this, the imposter urged her to visit the sheriff’s office in person.
After providing the address, which Karl verified through a quick online search, the caller informed her that she needed to complete paperwork to be reinstated in the jury pool within a few weeks. When Karl asked to consult her husband before proceeding, the caller insisted that she was under a gag order, further raising her suspicions.
As doubts began to creep in, Karl requested that the caller return her call from the sheriff’s office’s direct line. The man agreed, saying another deputy would follow up. Shortly after, Karl received a call from what appeared to be the official sheriff’s office number.
The situation escalated when the caller insisted she stay on the line while she drove to the sheriff’s office, claiming she was a “flight risk.” Feeling uneasy, Karl decided to hang up, pretending to have lost connection.
Upon contacting the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office directly, Karl learned from a deputy that she had narrowly avoided a scam. The officer confirmed that the department had been inundated with 200 to 300 similar calls daily, warning residents not to fall for such schemes.
The scam typically involves tricking individuals into providing money, as Karl learned during her conversation with the deputy. Following her encounter, she chose to share her experience on social media, aiming to alert others in her community.
Despite initial embarrassment over almost falling for the scam, Karl was overwhelmed by the responses she received. Many people reached out with their own similar stories, and some were even on their way to the sheriff’s office before recognizing the fraudulent nature of the calls. Tragically, a few individuals did unwittingly provide money to the scammers.
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas has confirmed a noticeable rise in jury duty scams in recent times. Officials urge that residents should be aware that the court or law enforcement will never demand payment for not reporting for jury duty.
The recent spate of scams serves as a cautionary tale for the community, highlighting the need for vigilance in the face of deceptive tactics.
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