LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Lauderdale County residents are being alerted to a recurring phone scam involving false claims related to jury duty.
According to the Circuit Clerk’s Office, scammers are contacting individuals by name, sometimes even calling them at their workplaces, and falsely stating that they owe money for missing jury service. These calls often appear to come from local law enforcement agencies due to caller ID spoofing.
Officials say the scammers are using the names of real law enforcement officers to add legitimacy to their claims. The calls are designed to create fear and urgency, pressuring recipients into providing personal information or making payments.
The scam appears to coincide with recent mailings from the U.S. District Court, which sent out federal jury postcards in the Meridian and Lauderdale County area advising residents that they may be selected for jury service in the future. TO CLARIFY: The postcards from the U.S. District Court are legitimate — The scam calls requesting money for missing jury duty are NOT.
Residents are advised not to engage with these callers and to hang up immediately. The Circuit Clerk’s Office emphasizes that no one will ever be contacted by phone and asked to pay money for jury-related matters.
Anyone with questions about the legitimacy of a jury summons or call can contact the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk’s Office at (601) 482-9731. Officials are encouraging the public to share this warning, particularly with older adults, who may be more likely to trust the callers.
