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Latest scam targets elderly population with missed jury duty claim

After being told that they missed jury duty, residents reported that they were then told they had to pay a surety bond so they wouldn't be arrested.

NEWNAN, Ga. - A scam is making it's rounds in Coweta County and authorities say it's targeting the elderly population.

The Coweta County Sheriff's Office has received reports about a man identifying himself as Lt. Mike Parks or another name, who then tells the person they missed jury duty in Coweta County and must pay a fine.

One victim told deputies he received a call at work on March 16, from a man saying he had been summoned for jury duty but failed to appear.

The caller also told the victim he would need to make an surety bond to be paid in lieu of a warrant for his arrest and his court date was scheduled for April 6 before Judge Kirby.

Authorities said the man then called the victim on his cell phone and told him to purchase Green Dot cards to pay the surety bond and to stay on the phone until the transaction was complete.

Deputies said the man drove to Kroger and purchased four $500 Green Dot cards, and turned them over to the caller via phone.

But the scammer didn't stop there. Authorities said the man then claimed he needed $2,000 more, at which time victim realized he had been scammed. He told the scammer he was going to the courthouse to address the issue, but the caller then told him the situation was resolved and no further action was needed.

Coweta sheriffs officials said the suspect seems to be preying on the elderly and wants to remind everyone that, "the sheriff's office would never call citizens on the phone to tell them they missed jury duty, and would definitely never ask for any financial information over the phone."

Deputies said this scam is an on-going problem and they have a hard time tracking down the scammers because most calls are made from pre-paid cell phones.

The Better Business Bureau has posted some tips to help in identifying whether you are being targeted in one of these types of scams.

  • Never wire money to someone you don't personally know. Police agencies will never ask for payment over the phone. If someone requests money in Green Dot MoneyPak or iTunes, that is a huge red flag.
  • Don't trust a phone call claiming to be from a government entity. Courts, law enforcement, and other agencies send information through U.S. mail as the main form of communication. If you do get a call claiming to be an official, ask for their credentials, then hang up and call the actual office to confirm they just called you.
  • NEVER give out personal information like your social security number, birth date or credit card information. This is one way scammers can steal your identity.

If you have been affected by this scam or others, you are encouraged to notify local police and file a complaint on the BBB website.

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