Eau Claire police saw a spike in fake law enforcement calls on Tuesday, November 3, claiming people missed jury duty. Here is how to spot it and hang up.
Police in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, say a wave of scam calls hit on Tuesday, November 3. The callers claim to be with law enforcement and tell people they are missing jury duty. The city's police communications center noticed the spike and put out a warning.
Residents reported getting calls from someone who said they were with law enforcement. The caller told them they had missed jury duty. Police did not say what the callers asked for in each case, but they made one point clear: they will never ask for payment over the phone, by gift card or by wire transfer.
The call is built to scare you. Nobody wants trouble with the law, so a caller who sounds official can push a person to act fast. Once money is sent by gift card or wire transfer, it is very hard to get back. Knowing that real police do not take payment by phone gives you a simple reason to hang up.
Police named Eau Claire residents in this warning. The same trick can reach anyone with a phone, though. If you live somewhere else, the lesson still applies. Older relatives may be a common target for scams like this, so it helps to pass the word along to them.
The alert box above lists the steps. The short version: hang up, do not pay, and check with your local law enforcement using a number you look up yourself, not one the caller gives you.
The police statement does not say how many calls came in, how many people lost money, or whether anyone did. It also does not say where the calls came from or how long they will continue. Those details were not shared, so it is wise to stay alert even if the spike fades.
Police never ask for payment by phone, gift card or wire transfer, so hang up on any caller who says you missed jury duty and demands money.
The Attala County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi says scam calls are reaching residents, and a call that sounds official may not be.
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