Harris County officials warn of jury duty phone scam targeting community

HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL) — The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the County Clerk of Superior Court are warning residents about a phone scam where callers claim you’ve missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid jail.

Deputies say scammers are posing as court employees or sheriff’s deputies, and tell victims they can settle the issue by paying over the phone, which is often through gift cards, Cash App, or wire transfers.

Harris County Clerk of Superior Court Stacy K. Haralson spoke with News 3 and says that’s not how the court operates.

“We will never call anyone if they have missed jury duty and ask them for money, period,” Haralson said. “What we will do is inform the person they have missed jury duty, and they will receive a letter with my return address and the court seal.”

Haralson adds that the elderly are the most vulnerable to these types of scams.

She urges anyone who receives a suspicious call to hang up immediately and contact the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office to verify any legitimate jury duty notices.

RELATED CONTENT: Columbus Police Department’s How To Defeat Scammers Page with WRBL