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Scammers using juries, courts to get your money

Posted at 8:37 PM, Feb 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-09 20:37:18-05

People have started coming to jury rooms lately after getting threatening calls about missing jury duty.

"We've had two or three show up here, yes."

Jury Coordinator Bradley Seitz said all of them were told they needed to pay a fine or face immediate arrest.

Tim Obermeyer is among those who got the chilling call. 

"And he said ‘I'm Sheriff Tom Wilder from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and I am on the phone to issue you a warrant for your arrest for skipping jury duty’," Overmeyer said.

Seitz said no one from the sheriff’s department or courthouse called people. It's another phone scam to get you to send money, via western union or a pre-paid debit card.

"They want their money. Easily hands down, no questions. They want their money," Seitz said.

Seitz said people are sending hundreds of dollars to avoid so-called "arrest." Among them was a young woman who then showed up in tears.

"A 23-year-old female...she was not aware it was a scam until I had to break the bad news to her,” Seitz said.

Just remember, no one from the courthouse will call you about showing up and you will never be asked for money on the spot.

"The only way you can receive a call for jury service is if we send you a summons in the mail.  We will never cold call you and tell you something about you missing your jury service."