Scammers demanding money over missed jury duty

By NewsPress Now

Residents are being warned not to fall for scam calls from anyone claiming to be a sheriff’s deputy and demanding payment over missed jury duty.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said such scams have been active in the area this week. He urges people not to give those making threats by phone, text or email any personal or financial information.

Puett said the sheriff’s office does not call citizens about missing jury duty or threaten them with arrest warrants unless they pay to get the issue resolved. His office also doesn’t accept any kind of gift card or process credit or debit cards over the phone, he said.

The sheriff’s office has reported three variations of scams, all threatening citizens. One claims to be Deputy Darius Hopkins at 816-297-5317 with an important legal matter/arrest that must be resolved immediately with money.

Another caller says he’s Deputy Darren Hopkins at 816-297-5317 and states the victim missed jury duty but that the warrant could be settled for two $500 transactions via money transfer. Once the money was transferred, “Deputy Hopkins” then called the victim back and stated an additional warrant was located and that the warrant could be settled for an additional $500.

A final scam call had individuals identifying themselves as Buchanan County deputies and saying that someone had missed jury duty and an arrest warrant had been issued for the citizen. The scammer demanded money to get the warrant taken care of.

Puett said anyone contacted about a warrant should verify the information. Residents can speak with a sheriff’s office member in person 24 hours a day by coming to LEC or by phone at 816-236-8800.

For jury concerns the Jury Administrator can be reached at 816-271-1552.