Lowndes County sheriff warns of jury duty scam
The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office said residents have reported numerous phone calls and text messages claiming they missed jury duty and demanding immediate payment. The sheriff’s office said scammers are impersonating a “Sergeant Blake Anderson,” and the office confirmed there is no deputy by that name.
Officials said fraudsters often impersonate court officials or law enforcement and threaten arrest unless victims pay. The scammers typically ask for payment via prepaid or gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, or payment apps. The sheriff’s office warned of a new tactic in some texts: QR codes that direct victims to malicious payment sites.
The office urged people to hang up immediately, not to provide personal or financial information, not to scan QR codes from unknown sources and not to send money. If residents are concerned, the sheriff’s office advised looking up the local court’s official phone number and contacting the court directly rather than using numbers provided by callers.
Officials noted that legitimate jury duty notifications are sent by U.S. Mail, not by phone, text or email. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
