Jury Duty Phone Scam Alert in San Antonio

News Summary

Residents of San Antonio are being warned about a new jury duty phone scam where fraudsters use spoofed numbers to impersonate law enforcement. Scammers claim victims have missed jury duty summons and pressure them to make immediate payments, often through untraceable methods like MoneyGram and cryptocurrency. The San Antonio Police Department emphasizes that citizens should never receive calls demanding payment for jury duty. Victims are urged to verify the identity of callers and report suspicious incidents immediately.

Beware of the Jury Duty Phone Scam in San Antonio!

If you live in San Antonio, you might want to perk up your ears and pay attention. The local police department has put out a serious warning about a sneaky phone scam that’s been making the rounds in the city. You may have heard of scams before, but this one takes the cake with its clever use of technology and illicit tactics.

The Scam Setup

Here’s the lowdown: scammers are using what’s called “spoofed” phone numbers. That means they mask their true identity, making it look like they’re calling from legitimate city officials. Most calls come from numbers in the 210 area code, particularly those starting with the prefix 207. How tricky is that?

So, what’s their pitch? These fraudsters pose as local law enforcement officers and claim that the person on the other end has missed their jury duty summons. Yes, you read that right—jury duty! They create a sense of urgency, hoping to pressure their targets into making a hasty decision.

Payment Pressure

Now, here’s where it gets really shady. Victims are often pushed to make a payment right away to resolve this imaginary issue. This could involve anything from paying a fine to just ignoring the fact that they never received a summons in the first place. Frighteningly, the scammers even encourage payments through methods like MoneyGram or even cryptocurrency, which can be incredibly difficult to trace. Talk about shady!

Police Set the Record Straight

San Antonio Police Department is stepping in to clarify what should be common sense but isn’t: you should NEVER receive a call from law enforcement demanding payment over the phone. SAPD emphasizes that they will not contact citizens requesting payment for missed jury duty or any other reason.

This is crucial information for all residents of the city. If you receive a phone call claiming to be from police about something as serious as jury duty, it’s important to verify the identity of the caller before sharing any personal information. If it doesn’t pass the smell test, hang up the phone!

What To Do If You’re Targeted

If you sense that you’ve fallen victim to this scam, don’t panic. Instead, reach out to the SAPD through their non-emergency number at 210-207-7273 to report the incident. They can guide you on the next steps to take and may prevent others from experiencing the same ordeal.

A Broader Trend in Scams

Stay Smart, Stay Safe

So, San Antonio, let’s band together and keep our community safe. Your vigilance can make all the difference in outsmarting these sneaky scammers. Stay smart and watch out for one another!