Galveston County, Texas — The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate deputies and demand payments for allegedly missing jury duty.
According to Sheriff Jimmy Fullen, the department has received multiple reports daily about the scam. Victims say the caller threatens them with arrest unless they pay a fine, claiming it’s for failing to appear for jury service.
To make the scam appear legitimate, the caller ID is spoofed to display the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office number, making it seem as though the call is truly coming from law enforcement.
In response, the sheriff’s office issued a warning on its official Facebook page on Thursday, urging the public not to fall for the fraudulent demands:
“Please be aware that the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office will never call requesting payment for outstanding warrants,” the post stated. “If you receive a call about an arrest warrant and are asked to provide payment, do not share your financial information over the phone. Instead, contact your local law enforcement agency or the court of jurisdiction for verification.”
The department encourages anyone who receives such a call to report it immediately and to avoid giving out personal or financial information.
