Recently, a friend of mine fell victim to a scam wherein criminals called her telephone posing as Deputy Sheriffs. They claimed that she had failed to show up for jury duty, and that she would be arrested in the near future unless she paid the fine. What my friend should have done was to take a deep breath and contact someone to help her verify the validity of the call. Instead, she paid the money without verifying and has now lost $900 of her hard-earned money! By no means, do I consider this friend to be naïve or gullible; in fact, she is a well-educated and respected professional. Sadly, these scam artists are experts at using the element of surprise and the threat of incarceration to frighten their victims so badly that it causes them to act emergently and fail to think rationally.

These scams have continued for over a decade. The “Failure to Show Up for Jury Duty” scam is only one of many that are victimizing people all around the country. These scammers frequently call later in the evening and might ask for your personal information. They are after your money as well as any information about your identity that could serve to benefit them later on. Don’t be fooled by your Caller ID, as it can often be manipulated to display a business or agency’s name and phone number. The criminals often request the fine to be paid with a pre-paid debit or credit card. Use these warning signs if you receive a suspicious call or email, and hang up before releasing any personal information.

If there is the slightest doubt in your mind concerning the validity of a call, email, etc. from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer or government agent, consult a professional before taking action and certainly before giving away any of your money. We at the Mike Kelly Law Group are always happy and ready to help you, the people of South Carolina!