Citizens are reminded that the
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will not call or mail residents seeking cash
or gift cards.
In July, a Leonardtown resident
received a phone call from a person falsely representing themselves from the
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office who advised the victim fines were owed
because the person “failed to appear for jury duty today.” The victim was then
advised to go to Food Lion to purchase four MoneyPaks gift cards for “failure
to appear fines.”
Another phone scam earlier this
year also falsely purported to be the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office,
including the name of a specific sergeant. Victims were told that they failed
to report for jury duty and had active warrants for their arrest. Victims were
told to purchase MoneyPaks from stores and to contact a fraudulent bond company
to pay the predetermined fee to have the warrant recalled.
Again, the St. Mary’s County
Sheriff’s Office will not call citizens asking for money or MoneyPaks. Residents
are also reminded not to give out personal information over the phone to
unknown parties.
If you have been a victim of a
jury duty scam, another phone scam or have any information regarding such
incidents, call the Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008. Citizens may remain
anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239”
plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program,
tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a
crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.
For official news and
information, follow the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter
@firstsheriff
