Scam Alert: Jury Duty Scam in area–they almost got me!
Monday started out ordinary enough.
At 9:24 am, a call came in on the screen said Montgomery County Sheriff’s Dept. It went to voice mail with a Lt. Hollingsworth leaving me a message and his direct number. He said to give him a call that he had two pieces of important information and that he needed me to call back. I googled him. Indeed he employed at said Sheriff’s Dept. Couldn’t imagine what it was, but I called back.
He was very nice but authoritative and said they had a failure to appear and contempt of court from Federal Grand Jury Western Virginia District and I needed to come in.
It just floored me. In Dec I sent in my Questionnaire for Western Virginia Federal Jury duty pool but have not heard back. I told him that if my name had been pulled from the pool of jurors I was not aware of it. He told me I signed for a registered letter. I replied I had not. He said they would do a handwriting analysis when I got there. I asked why a state agency would be handling this matter. He said they had farmed out things to Sheriff’s Depts since the Federal Court didn’t have enough current manpower. He just sounded so official and we all know about the shortage of employees across the country. I ask that he verifiy my address . He even told my date of birth. He told me. I didn’t tell him
So I fed my animals, took a shower and was ready to go by 11:30. I had called two of my children if I was arrested they knew what had happened. Both like me wondered why I was having to go to Montgomery County.
I called back and told him I was ready to leave. He wanted my car mileage so they could reimburse me. That was the first crack. No one is going to do this so fast, approvals are needed for that amd files must be reported. Then he said I would have to leave the phone call open all the way to Christiansburg and I would have to bring $500 in cash for the two bonds. If my signature was verified as not being the one, I would get the money back.
Cash? My scam alert went in full mode. So I started acting like my little old lady self. Told him I am going have to get the funds. It will take me longer. Not one to follow the rules, I hung up. I called Sheriff Matt Ward. He said Scam.
While I was communicating with Sheriff Ward I received continuous calls from a number showing Madison VA. On the 5th call I answered. It was our imposter Lt. Hollangsworth on a different number. (None of these numbers are active numbers I have since learned. Once he spoofed the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Dept he turned to untraceable numbers to be called. As they say in TV shows– Burner phones!
He was yelling that I was in so much trouble for hanging up.
I used my Mom Voice.
“I have just spoken with Botetourt County Sheriff Matt Ward. He says this is a scam. So you are the one in trouble, buddy.”
He hung up.
I went to a friend’s house. I called Montgomery County Dispatch. They hooked me up with a real Deputy Harless who had been taking calls all day about this scam. Unfortunately so had Botetourt County. I spoke with Officer Cassell yesterday and they could not take more than name because I had not been bilked of my money. But others had. In the form of Visa gift cards they were told to purchase and call back to give the numbers from the cards
I knew that scam. I have written about this through FBI, Social Security Adm scams, etc. They prey on older people. This one had a ring of truth because I am in the jury pool. I am told lawyers and other get access for jury trials but maybe it was an incredible coincidence. (But honestly this should be secure to prevent jury tampering.) I called the Clerk’s Office of the Western Virginia Federal Court, because when I googled this scam, it said to do so. I have yet to hear back.
I was never told to give cards. They wanted cold hard cash. But I never got to Montgomery County, so I was out of jurisdiction. But I never received info to buy gift cards. So I reported back to Botetourt County.
Just beware and be aware. Asking the right questions and getting the right answer won’t save you from these predators. Smooth till the real scam popped up. Cash. It just doesn’t work that way in the court system or law enforcement. Everyone needs a paper trail.
Criminals can spoof numbers, even agency numbers. Congress has the power to stop this but through 4 administrations has yet to do so while Americans get bilked daily.
If get an official sounding call, Google for scams along the topic lines first, call Sheriff Dept second and never give them your personal information.
–Cathy Benson
