The Chatham County Sheriff’s office is warning the public about an ongoing scam involving the department and the courts.
A caller orders victims to pay a fine because of a missed jury summons and subsequent contempt of court fine, said Gena Bilbo, sheriff’s spokeswsoman. The suspects try to keep them on the phone until a green dot cart is purchased and the money pack number of the back of the card is relinquished, she said.
The department received numerous calls Monday from potential victims, Bilbo said.
The Chatham County Courthouse could possibly call about a jury summons but will never demand payment or ask for personal financial information. The sheriff’s office does not contact anyone by phone directing them to put money on an account to pay a bond, Bilbo said.
A deputy will deliver a subpoena or any process by hand.
Any jury notices will arrive by mail.
Bilbo said anyone who feels they may have been a victim of the scam or who has any information about the case should call the department’s investigators at 912-652-7693.