NORFOLK, Va. — We see an ever-growing list of phone call scams nowadays, but there’s a new one that’s targeting people Hampton Roads.
Scammers claim to be part of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office and accuse the victim of missing jury duty.
The latest scam targeted Judy Boone. She said the caller told her "do not hang this phone up,” and she had to pay $1,500 to avoid being arrested for missing jury duty.
Boone told us, "I said is this a joke and he said ‘no ma'am, this is no joke and you are on a recorded line.’"
She told 13News Now that the caller wanted payment made in Kroger gift cards or vouchers and she was instructed to buy them with cash.
The person who called her also claimed to be Major Lary Carter, with the Norfolk Sheriff's Office.
"We do have a major Larry Carter,” said Sheriff Joseph Baron.
Baron said his office has nothing to do with people who miss jury duty.
He explained a lot of people don't know that, which may be why some fall for the scam.
Baron said scams like this, “hit Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk multiple times,” In fact, he said four people told him they were scammed with the same storyline last week.
"It's heartbreaking for me because we have good, honest people out there that are losing thousands of dollars,” he said.
Most scammers insist on paying with cash and use a burner phone, which makes the scammers untraceable and puts you at risk.
In Boone's case, the person told her to meet him with the cards at Norfolk’s City Hall.
Her son talked to her about it and kept her from falling for the trick, even though the impersonators didn't stop with one try.
"The son of a gun, he called my receptionist," said Boone. "So, he definitely targeted me."
If you get the phone call about jury duty, use your head and don't fall for the trick.