From Berks County District Attorney’s Office
The Berks County District Attorney’s Office is once again warning residents about a phone scam in which individuals pose as Berks County Sheriff’s deputies or other court officials and falsely claim that the recipient failed to appear for jury duty and that an active arrest warrant has been issued. The caller then demands immediate payment to resolve the alleged warrant and prevent the resident from being taken into custody.
THIS IS A SCAM. There is no legitimate warrant or payment requirement. DO NOT make any payments. Immediately hang up and contact the Berks County Sheriff’s Office at 610-478-6240, the Berks County Detectives at 610-478-7171, or your local police department.
Residents should be aware of the following warning signs:
- Legitimate notices concerning jury duty and other court matters are generally sent through official correspondence. Courts and law enforcement agencies WILL NOT demand immediate payment over the phone to avoid arrest.
- Scammers may demand payment through cryptocurrency or other electronic payment methods. Government agencies DO NOT demand payment through these means.
- Fraudsters often use caller-ID spoofing to make a call appear to originate from an actual government agency. If you have concerns about a call, independently obtain the agency’s official telephone number and contact the agency directly to verify the information.
- Scammers may provide convincing-looking documents by email or text message in an attempt to make their claims appear legitimate. Official seals, letterhead, and legal terminology do not establish that the documentation is genuine.
- Fraudsters frequently use high-pressure tactics designed to create fear and stress. They may insist that you remain on the phone until the matter is “resolved” in an effort to prevent you from independently verifying their claims. If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and contact the agency directly using a telephone number you have independently verified.
If you receive a suspicious call of this nature, DO NOT provide personal information, financial information, or payment to the caller. Immediately end the call and contact your local police department, the Berks County District Attorney’s Detective Unit, or the Berks County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident. If you believe you have received legitimate court or jury-duty correspondence, contact the appropriate court directly using a verified telephone number.
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