Public Safety: Shapiro Warns Residents of Jury Duty Scams, Spoofed Numbers, and Payment Demands

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AKRON, Ohio – Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro is urging local residents to remain vigilant following a sharp increase in reports regarding sophisticated jury duty scams. These fraudulent schemes typically involve a caller impersonating a government or law enforcement official who claims the resident has missed jury duty. The scammer then insists that a warrant has been issued for the resident’s arrest, which can only be cleared by paying a steep fine immediately.

Scammers often use “spoofing” technology to make the call appear as though it is coming from a legitimate source, such as the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. This tactic, paired with aggressive language and the threat of jail time, is designed to pressure individuals into acting without thinking. Executive Shapiro notes that these criminals exploit the good intentions of citizens who simply want to follow the law.

“The best thing you can do to thwart them is slow down and hang up immediately,” Shapiro stated, emphasizing that the Sheriff’s Office does not notify residents of warrants or fines over the phone. Furthermore, no legitimate government agency will ever request payment via gift cards, Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies. Residents who receive these calls are encouraged to hang up and contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch directly at 330-643-2181 to report the incident.