April 27, 2015
West Boylston – Worcester County Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early are warning residents about a recent phone scam where citizens are being targeted and threatened with prosecution for falling to comply with jury service in federal or state courts.
In recent days, a caller identifying himself as an Officer from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has attempted to pressure recipients into providing credit card and confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. These calls, which threaten recipients with fines and jail time if they do not comply, are fraudulent and are not connected with the U.S. courts or the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office does not contact residents and demand payments or ask for credit card information on behalf of the Courts regarding jury duty and is asking residents to be vigilant against this most recent scam. Federal and State courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a telephone call or email. Most contact between a federal or state court and a prospective juror will be through the U.S. mail, and any phone contact by real court officials will not include requests for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or any other sensitive information.
Persons receiving such a telephone call or email should not provide the requested information, and should notify the Clerk of Court’s office of the U.S. District Court in their area. For more on the Massachusetts Court System Jury Information, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/courts/jury-info/.
