Scammer Alert: Jury Duty Scam Calls to Loudoun Residents

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Several Loudoun residents reported receiving a call from a person claiming to be a Lieutenant Vance Berry with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). The caller states that a warrant has been issued for the resident’s arrest because they failed to report for jury duty. The caller goes on to say that they can avoid arrest by paying a fine by obtaining money cards from a local store.

This new twist on the ‘jury duty’ scam has prompted the LCSO and the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Loudoun County to remind residents that law enforcement will never contact you to collect fines for an outstanding warrant, according to a LCSO announcement.

Deputies say that in the latest case, the victim paid the monies and was sent an invoice with ‘Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office’ across the top to make the scam appear legitimate.

“These thieves use the appearance of authority and prey on a person’s fears in hopes that the victim will be more willing to provide the money,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman.

According to the LCSO and the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, under no circumstance would a law enforcement official in Virginia be permitted to collect fines of this nature. Only the judges of the circuit court can order the payment of fines for failure to report for jury duty, but individuals would be required to attend a court hearing and explain why they neglected to report for jury duty before any fines are assessed.

“Jury service is an important civic duty,” said Gary M. Clemens, Loudoun Clerk of the Circuit Court. “We do not want potential jurors to be intimidated or discouraged to serve as jurors by virtue of individuals who use these deceitful tactics to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.”

If you are a resident of Loudoun County and believe you were a victim of this scam or of a similar scam, please contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s at 703-777-1021 or file a report online at http://sheriff.loudoun.gov/reportonline.

SEE ALSO: Scammer Alert: Callers Demand Money by Threatening Arrest