Kings County Sheriff's Department urges residents to be wary of possible phone scams

By The Leader Staff
Kings County Sheriff's Department urges residents to be wary of possible phone scams

The Kings County Sheriff’s Office is warning local residents to be wary of possible phone scams. Over the past few weeks, the Sheriff’s Office has investigated reports of Kings County phone scams. Law enforcement officials say the calls vary slightly in nature, typically identifying themselves as law enforcement officers. They demand money to clear an arrest warrant.

The demand for payment varies, but typically the caller will demand credit card information, or that the victim purchases prepaid money cards and then provide the security code from the back of the money card.   

A typical scam artist may identify himself as a Kings County Sheriff’s Office detective, informing victims that they failed to report for jury duty, and an arrest warrant has been issued.  The caller then offers to clear the warrant by paying a fine and avoiding arrest.  The call may demand credit card information to pay the fine to avoid going to jail. 

A call-back number goes to a Kings County phone tree and may appear to be legitimate. However, Kings County sheriffs say it is not. 

Another scam circulating involves a caller who identifies himself or herself as a representative of the Social Security Department. The caller informs the victim that his or her Social Security number has been suspended and payment is needed to reactivate it. Again, credit information or pre-paid money cards are demanded to correct the bogus issue.

Typically, when a warrant is issued in Kings County or by the Kings County Sheriff's Office, officials generally visit homes in an attempt to locate the warrant suspect. They do not send letters or demand payment over the phone to clear a warrant.

When a jury duty summons is issued, it is mailed approximately 10 days prior to the service date.  The summons contains information and instructions about how to postpone jury duty, how to request to an excuse, or how to notify the court of disqualification from jury service.  

Kings County law enforcement officials remind residents that if they receive a bogus call, one that you may be unsure about, the best thing to do is hang up and call the Sheriff's Office at (559) 852-2720. 

If you have any questions regarding your jury duty status, you can contact the Kings County Jury Commissioner's office at (559) 582-1010 extension 5041.

If you received a similar phone call, and are uncertain about legitimacy, please contact your local law enforcement agency.  

Kings County Sheriff's Department urges residents to be wary of possible phone scams

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