Kanecountyconnects.com
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning about a phone scam targeting residents in the county. Known as the “Jury Duty Scam,” this scheme begins with a phone call from someone falsely claiming to represent the Sheriff’s Office or a Kane County Court official.
Scammers inform victims that they missed jury duty, even though no jury duty notice was ever received. They may claim there is a warrant out for the victim’s arrest and insist that the only way to avoid jail is by paying a fine. If the victim refuses, the scammers might escalate by making threats of jail time or by asking for personal information, such as a Social Security number or date of birth, in an attempt to steal their identity. To seem more convincing, the scammers might provide fake badge or case numbers. Using modern technology, they can even spoof phone numbers to make it appear as though the call is coming from the Sheriff’s Office or local courts.
Here are some key ways to identify the scam:
- The Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call and ask for money to avoid jail.
- Only scammers demand payment via gift cards, payment apps, cryptocurrency, wire transfers (such as MoneyGram or Western Union), or cash mailed in an envelope.
- Courts never request sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or dates of birth, over the phone.
If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately. Do not make any payments or share personal information. If you are concerned the call might be legitimate or have questions, contact the Sheriff’s Office directly. If it is after hours, you can reach the non-emergency Dispatch Center at 630-232-8400.
