DeKalb Residents Warned of Phone Scam: 'Hang Up On The Caller'

DECATUR, GA -- Law enforcement officials in Decatur put the word out this week that fraudsters are calling residents in an attempt to pry personal information from them.

Decatur police Lt. Jennifer Ross posted on the popular neighborhood website Nextdoor.com to alert residents of the ongoing scam, which includes impersonating DeKalb County Sheriff's deputies.

The telephone scheme is a familiar one in metro Atlanta: The caller claims to be an officer of the law and usually tells the recipient that he or she failed to show for jury duty. Oftentimes the perpetrator will go so far as to say that an arrest warrant has been issued.

"The scammer will then instruct you to pay a fine by way of adding funds to prepaid moneypak/green dot cards that will be reimbursed once things are cleared up," Ross said on the site.

Scam artists have targeted residents in DeKalb during the holidays as well, impersonating police officers. Elderly residents are especially vulnerable to such calls, as they may get easily confused because of them being hard of hearing or disoriented.

Ross had stern words for residents even considering giving the scammers a listening ear.

"This is a scam. Hang up on the caller and DO NOT pay anything by phone," she said. "If you fear that you missed jury duty and are concerned, contact the jury services division at the courthouse for the county in which you live."

Image via Pixabay