LEONARDTOWN, Md. – Citizens are reminded that the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will not call or mail residents seeking cash or gift cards.
In July, a Leonardtown resident received a phone call from a person falsely representing themselves from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office who advised the victim fines were owed because the person “failed to appear for jury duty today.” The victim was then advised to go to Food Lion to purchase four MoneyPaks gift cards for “failure to appear fines.”
Another phone scam earlier this year also falsely purported to be the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, including the name of a specific sergeant. Victims were told that they failed to report for jury duty and had active warrants for their arrest. Victims were told to purchase MoneyPaks from stores and to contact a fraudulent bond company to pay the predetermined fee to have the warrant recalled.
Again, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will not call citizens asking for money or MoneyPaks. Residents are also reminded not to give out personal information over the phone to unknown parties.
If you have been a victim of a jury duty scam, another phone scam or have any information regarding such incidents, call the Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008. Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program, tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.
For official news and information, follow the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter @firstsheriff