Jury Scam Warning Issued By Sheriff’s Office

BRADENTON, FL — An uptick in calls related to the “jury scam” has the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office warning residents to take care when they answer their phones.

According to the agency, it has received several recent reports about people calling residents in the county telling them they missed assigned jury duty. In order to avoid arrest, the caller tells victims they must pay a fine.

“Sometimes, the caller will pose as an employee with the sheriff’s office,” an email from the agency said. “The sheriff’s office does not call the public pertaining to jury duty as all jury summons are handled by the Manatee County Clerk of Court.”

Residents who receive calls requesting cash related to jury duty are advised to hang up without providing financial information. Law enforcement should be contacted, as well.

People with questions about the jury duty scam or other scams are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 941-747-3011.

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