SCAM ALERT - Jury Duty Phone Scam

Florence Police Department

News Release

February 3, 2015

Lynn F. Lamm, Interim Chief of Police

(541) 997-3515

Multiple Florence residents have reported being contacted by individuals via telephone who report that they or family members have failed to report for jury duty and need to pay hundreds of dollars in money. These payments are facilitated by the victim buying prepaid credit or gift cards, and providing redemption information to the suspect(s) over the phone. Similar incidents have been reported in the past in Lane County.

Citizens are reminded that this is not legitimate activity and county and or state agencies do not utilize this method to collect official payments.  

Law enforcement may occasionally contact community members by phone during the course of an investigation but will not make phone calls to community members for missed jury duty or to alert someone that they have a warrant out for their arrest.

Citizens are encouraged to hang up the phone if they suspect a scam and report scams to your local law enforcement agency. Calls asking for payment through un-traceable methods such as Green Dot cards, or other cash cards, are probably a scam. Calls that use scare tactics, or pressure you to send money quickly, are also likely scams.