Spirit Lake, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department is constantly warning the public about scams. One making the rounds right now directly affects the office.
Sheriff Greg Balloun says scammers can program what numbers come up on your cell phone, and they have been getting reports from Dickinson County residents getting calls that say they’re coming from the Sheriff’s Department. But they’re not.
The scammers are telling unsuspecting victims that they have missed jury duty, that a warrant has been issued for their arrest, and then provides a link to pay a fine.
Balloun says legitimate jury summons are sent though the mail by the clerk of court and not by phone, and says local law enforcement will never demand immediate payment over the phone.
If you get one of those calls, report it to the Sheriiff’s Department.