NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a jury duty scam calls.
“I was so mentally unprepared for this particular fraud,” said Kari Buchanan.
Buchanan lost $5,000 after one phone call with a scammer. She said the caller claimed to be from the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office stating Buchanan had a warrant out for being in contempt of court.
“Why would I have that?" she asked. "I just had jury duty. I was dismissed.”
Buchanan said the caller was persistent, telling her she must instantly transfer cash to a provided number.
“They were very aggressive,” she said. “They’re threatening you with arrest. They’re threatening you with throwing you in jail.”
After talking with others about the call, she realized it was a scam and called the sheriff.
Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron said this isn’t a new scam but it’s happening more often. He said scammers are calling everyone and the elderly are falling for the crime more often.
“And the reason there’s an uptick is because they’re successful," he said. "They’re getting money. They’re getting thousands of dollars from people.”
Baron said after multiple people had reached out with concerns, he developed an action plan. Part of that plan includes placing messages on billboards and posters at local businesses to warn people about the scam.
“Places where the citizens will get money and it’s usually sometimes through kiosks... pharmacies, grocery stores,” said Lt. Juan Serrano.
Posters are at more than 100 locations across the city reminding residents they won’t arrested for jury duty and the Sheriff’s Office would never call asking for money.
Sheriff Baron said if you do get a jury duty scam call, follow this simple step.
“Hang up,” he said. “And they can report it to the police department.”
Virginia Code states if a juror fails to appear, that person "shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200." Baron said the Sheriff's Office will never call asking for money.
Buchanan hopes by sharing her story, she can prevent others from falling victim to the scam.