PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) has issued an urgent warning to residents regarding a surge in jury duty scams operating across Pasco County. Scammers are actively targeting potential victims by falsely claiming they have missed jury duty and demanding an immediate payment to avoid penalties.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the impostors often contact individuals claiming to be an official, sometimes even dropping the names of the PSO or a specific PSO member to appear legitimate. The core of the scam is the false claim that the victim has missed their required jury service and must pay a fee to resolve the issue.
A critical red flag is the requested method of payment. Scammers are instructing victims to use non-traditional and difficult-to-trace payment methods such as PayPal, Bitcoin, Zelle, and other similar digital accounts.
To add a layer of authenticity and urgency, the perpetrators are employing sophisticated communication tactics. They may call from a blocked number or, more deceptively, spoof a number associated with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, including the general information line. This tactic makes the call appear to be genuinely originating from a trusted law enforcement source.
PSO Clarifies: This is NOT Legitimate
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office states that these messages are not legitimate. The PSO emphasizes two key points for the public to remember:
- PSO does not manage jury duty notifications or fines. Jury duty processes are handled by the Clerk of the Court, not the Sheriff’s Office.
- PSO will never contact individuals for any form of payment to resolve issues, whether criminal, civil, or otherwise.
Residents are urged to be highly skeptical of any call or message demanding immediate payment for a missed jury obligation, especially if the request involves untraceable digital payment platforms. If you receive a suspicious call, you should hang up immediately and do not send any money.
If you believe this or a similar scam has targeted you, or if you have any questions, you should directly contact the Pasco Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line or report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
READ: Pasco Sheriff Seeks Male Subjects’ Identity In New Port Richey Case
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