Law enforcement officials are warning residents of an ongoing phone scam in which fraudsters pose as authorities or court officials to extort money.
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The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office issued the alert after a local resident reported receiving a call on Wednesday.
The scammer claimed the resident had an active arrest warrant for failing to report for jury duty and demanded immediate payment to avoid being jailed.
The district attorney’s office issued the following tips:
• Official communication regarding jury duty is handled through the mail, never through an aggressive phone call demanding cash.
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• Scammers frequently demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, prepaid debit cards, or digital apps like Venmo or Zelle. Government agencies will never accept or demand these forms of payment.
• Scammers routinely use “spoofing” technology to make it look like the call is originating from a government office. If you are concerned, contact the office yourself using their official number and verify it independently.
• To make the scam seem believable, fraudsters will sometimes send official-looking documents via email or text. Do not let official seals or legal jargon fool you.
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The district attorney’s office advised anyone who receives a suspicious call to break off contact immediately.
“Do not let official seals or legal jargon fool you,” authorities said in a statement. “If you receive a call like this, do not engage with the caller or provide any personal or financial information. Instead, hang up and contact your local police department to report the call.”
Those wishing to verify the legitimacy of a call should contact the relevant government office independently using an official, verified phone number.
