Man Pretending To Be Sheriff's Deputy Allegedly Extorting Tarrant Co. Residents
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FORT WORTH (CBS 11) - A man is calling people in Tarrant County pretending to be a Sheriff's Deputy and trying to extort money with a common scam.
Diana Davidson got a message from the man on Sunday, at her home in Fort Worth.
"It said, this is Paul Garrison from the Sheriff's Department," said Davidson. "I have a warrant for your arrest. And I was like, wait, did I just hear warrant and arrest?!"
Davidson called the man back. She said he told her that she owed money for missing Jury Duty, and if she didn't pay, deputies would be over to arrest her.
"I don't even have a record of any kind… that means I'll have a record," said Davidson. "And he's like, well, I'm just trying to help you out ma'am… this is my job, I got kids to feed."
Davidson drove to Kroger while the man gave her instructions. She put $1,000 on cash cards. She sent the man the card numbers, and lost it all.
"I was so scared," Davidson said. "I had never been scared like that, and I really didn't think that was nice."
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office told CBS 11 that they are not aware of any deputies named Paul Garrison in the county. They also said the "Jury Duty" scam is one they have dealt with for years.
In some case, the crooks have even requested that the victims meet them outside of the downtown Fort Worth offices to hand over the money.
Davidson admits, looking back, she should have made different choices.
"It's all red flags… but he didn't give me a chance to think," said Davidson. "If I would have just had a moment. And I'm kicking myself now. If I would have just taken that second to think. No… really, that doesn't make any sense."
Officials say, the best way to combat the "Jury Duty" scam, and others like it, is to educate potential victims.
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