EDWARDSVILLE – The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is warning Madison County residents about an increase in scam phone calls from people claiming residents missed jury service and must pay immediately to avoid arrest or further penalties.
The sheriff’s office said callers may claim to be contacting residents on behalf of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office or the courts. The callers may provide a name, callback number, and email address “to make it sound legitimate,” the office said.
“It’s a scam,” the sheriff’s office said.
The office said residents who actually missed jury duty would receive a letter from the court, not a phone call demanding payment.
“The Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Jury Commission will never call to demand payment over the phone,” the office said.
Residents are advised not to give personal information, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, banking information or card information, to unknown callers. The sheriff’s office also advised residents to hang up, not call back the number provided, and not email any address given by the caller.
Anyone unsure whether a jury summons is real should hang up and call the Jury Commission directly using a number they look up themselves, the office said.
The sheriff’s office asked residents to share the warning, especially with older family members, friends and neighbors who may be targeted.
