Rapid City, S.D. – Authorities in South Dakota are alerting residents to a deceptive new scam where individuals impersonating law enforcement officers are contacting people via phone and email. These deceivers claim that their targets have failed to appear for jury duty or have outstanding court fines, and threaten arrest unless payment is made immediately.
The fraudsters are increasingly sophisticated, using fear tactics by insisting that urgent payments are needed to avoid legal repercussions. South Dakota’s Unified Judicial System, however, has clarified that such communications do not align with their operational practices. Official summons for jury duty are traditionally sent through postal mail, not via unsolicited electronic communications.
Officials emphasized that legitimate court communications would never involve requests for sensitive personal information or direct financial transactions over the phone or through email. Furthermore, the courts would never demand payments through informal methods like gift cards, prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
The potential penalties for missing jury duty can include fines, but these are formally processed through official court documentation and are not collected via phone calls. This clear distinction is important for the public to recognize and helps differentiate legitimate court procedures from fraudulent schemes.
To combat this scam, residents are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious jury duty calls or emails to the Consumer Protection Division of the South Dakota Office of the Attorney General. The office can be contacted at 1-800-300-1986 or through their email at consumerhelp@state.sd.us, providing a direct line of defense against such fraudulent activities.
This warning serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of scams and the importance of public awareness in safeguarding personal information and financial security. It also underscores the ongoing efforts by state officials to protect citizens from increasingly cunning financial crimes.
The community is encouraged to share information on this scam with friends and family, especially those who may be more vulnerable, to prevent the spread and success of this deceitful activity. By fostering a well-informed public, South Dakota aims to thwart the efforts of scammers and maintain the security of its residents.