AMHERST — Amherst Police are warning residents about a scam in which a person lost nearly $1,000 after getting a phone call from someone claiming to be a sheriff who said the resident had to pay fines for missing jury duty.
At 11:18 a.m. March 15, the resident came to the police station to inform officers he had used MoneyPak, a prepaid money card, to pay for the supposed jury duty violations and a court summons.
At 2:35 p.m., an employee working at a University Drive business reported a similar attempt by a person claiming to work for the sheriff’s office.
The state’s website warns people about these scams, stating that the Office of Jury Commissioner never contacts jurors by phone, that notices are always sent by mail, and that multiple warnings, from both the office and the courts, are sent over a period of months or even years before an arrest warrant or fine would be issued.
“Only a judge can order a fine, and collection would never take place over the phone,” according to the website.