Denver Couple Warns About Jury Duty Scam After Getting Duped
DENVER (CBS4) - There are countless scams out there to try and get your money. But when an Aurora woman was told she would end up in jail if she didn't pay up, she and her husband listened and it cost them.
Kelly Bates says it all started with a phone call.
"A call that there is a bench warrant for my arrest that I had missed jury duty," she said.
Kelly and her husband Terry were told to clear that warrant they needed to bring $895 in PayPal cash cards to the Denver Sheriff Department. The Bates say there were red flags during the phone conversation, but they were worried, and because neither had a bench warrant in the past they didn't know the right way to clear it.
"He (the officer) had given me dates of when the summons was sent to my house," said Kelly. "We were on vacation at the time so I thought maybe we had missed the summons."
The fake officer said he would stay on the line with them so Kelly didn't get arrested in the process. The address they were given to clear the warrant wasn't right, so the scammer said he would clear the warrant over the phone. He asked for the numbers on the PayPal card. Kelly's husband didn't want to give the PayPal codes, but Kelly was worried, and did. That's when the scammer became bold.
"He said, 'Are you aware of what just happened?'" Kelly said.
She says it was obvious to her that she had just gotten duped.
The Denver Sheriff Department warns people that they don't make calls to collect any fines. The couple says if you get a call asking for cash, first verify the officer is real and check directly with the law enforcement agency that supposedly holds the warrant.
Terry Bates says never give away codes to gift cards or anything else.
"Never give credit card numbers, Social Security numbers," he said. "If you feel like you have to go along with the scam, go along, until money transfers hands."
Statement From The Denver Sheriff And Police Departments
The Denver Police Department and Denver Sheriff Department are warning the community to be on alert for callers claiming to be sheriff officers asking for money.
Neither the Denver Sheriff Department or the Denver Police Department calls on the phone to collect fines or solicits money.
The scam callers claim they are a Denver sheriff officer and tell the person they owe money for an outstanding warrant. The person might be asked to call another number to make a payment. In another case the caller told the person they missed jury duty and a warrant had been issued for their arrest. They were advised they needed pay the fines or go to jail.
Residents are warned not to be deceived by caller IDs which might be associated with the City and County of Denver or the department.
If you receive a scam call of this nature, hang up and contact the Denver Police Department on 720 913 2000.
Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.
