Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner is warning residents about a surge in scams involving fake jury duty threats, calling the situation “out of control.” In response, a new public awareness campaign is being launched to protect residents and help recover stolen funds.
How the Scams Work
Victims of these scams are typically contacted by phone or mail, with scammers claiming that the victim or a loved one is facing arrest for missing jury duty. The fraudsters use personal information and convincing tactics to make their threats seem legitimate. They pressure victims into paying large sums of money to avoid arrest.
Cyber Crimes Unit Cracks Down on Scammers
Sheriff Skinner recently formed a cyber crimes unit to combat these types of fraud. The unit has already executed 800 search warrants and recovered $1.5 million in stolen funds. They are focused on targeting scammers who use fake warrants and fabricated legal threats to extort money from victims.
One case involved a 26-year-old Collin County man who was told he was under investigation for credit card fraud. The scammers knew his passwords and demanded he pay his entire $4,000 savings.
Crypto ATMs: A Key Payment Method for Scammers
Flyers are being distributed at convenience stores across Collin County, especially those that have cryptocurrency ATMs. These machines are often used by victims to send money directly to the scammers.
Store owners are being asked to watch for suspicious transactions, especially from elderly customers who may be more vulnerable to fraud.
Sheriff Skinner Shares Personal Experience
Sheriff Skinner also shared his personal experience with a similar scam. He was once contacted by someone claiming to be himself. “I got a call from someone claiming to be Sheriff Jim Skinner,” he said.
“They said I missed jury duty and had a warrant out for my arrest. I told them, ‘I am Sheriff Jim Skinner — and I promise you, you’ll end up in my jail one day.'”
Public Awareness is Key to Stopping Scams
Skinner stressed that law enforcement officers will never call demanding money. He acknowledged that many victims feel embarrassed after falling for the scams, but he emphasized that spreading awareness is the best way to stop them.
“These are sophisticated, tech-savvy criminals who have no respect for their fellow man,” Skinner said. “The more we talk about it, the harder it becomes for them to succeed.”
