Amite, LA – Local authorities have issued a warning about a renewed scam tactic in Tangipahoa Parish involving fraudulent jury duty notifications. Impostors, posing as deputies from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO), are reportedly calling residents, leveraging fake credentials and intimidation tactics to demand large sums of money under the guise of missed jury service charges.
The fraudulent callers are conducting a sophisticated scam, manipulating caller ID systems to make it appear as though the calls are originating from official TPSO phone numbers. These scammers use the actual names of Sheriff’s Office employees paired with counterfeit badge numbers as they falsely claim to collect fines for failed jury duty appearances.
TPSO has clarified that they do not handle jury summons nor are they authorized to collect any fines telephonically. Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Office does not request sensitive personal information or immediate payment over the phone.
According to Sheriff Daniel Edwards, these tactics are amongst the latest iterations of a nationwide surge in similar cons targeting unsuspecting individuals. “These scams thrive on exploiting fear and urgency. It’s vital that our residents remain vigilant, question the legitimacy of such aggressive payment demands, and verify any such calls by contacting official numbers directly,” Edwards emphasized.
Residents who might be skeptical of the authenticity of a call allegedly from TPSO should refrain from providing any personal information and are advised to disconnect the call immediately. Following this, they should directly contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office through their official numbers, 985-748-3334 or 985-748-3328, to verify any claims made during the call.
Local community leaders and law enforcement urge everyone to spread the word about this scam to prevent further victimization of parish residents, particularly seniors who are often the prime targets of such fraudulent schemes. Educational programs and community informational sessions are being ramped up to enhance awareness about such scams.
Financial security expert, Linda Grossman, advises, “One key strategy to combat such scams is to educate vulnerable populations about common tactics used by scammers and encourage them to hang up immediately on suspicious calls. Confirming the origin of any unexpected financial claim by calling back the purported agency on a verified number can save individuals from potential losses.”
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and local authorities are working collaboratively to trace these fraudulent calls and track down the perpetrators. Meanwhile, they reaffirm their commitment to protect residents from falling prey to such deceptive operations by continuously updating the community and providing necessary resources for protection against these cyber threats.