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LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a jury duty scam that has resurfaced in our area.

Victims report receiving phone calls saying that they have missed jury duty and must pay a fee. The caller may also claim to be a deputy with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and even use the name of a current deputy. They will then usually instruct the victim to either purchase a prepaid card or make a payment using a Bitcoin kiosk to void a warrant and avoid arrest.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that deputies will never ask for money or any form of payment for missing jury duty or to resolve an active warrant.

You are advised to:

Resist the pressure to make an immediate decision as fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly.
Verify the information before sending any money.
Never send money based on a request made over the phone or in an e-mail.

“These scammers are preying on fear and urgency, threatening arrest if you are non-compliant,” says Sheriff Guillory. “There are several warning signs to look for to spot a scam and possibly save yourself from becoming a victim. Be wary if the requester is asking you for personal information or bank account numbers. The suspect will normally ask for payment via wire transfers or gift cards and may direct you to not tell anyone and to stay on the phone until the transactions are complete. Always verify requests through official channels before taking any action.”