The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to stay alert after reports of a convincing phone scam involving a caller pretending to be a sheriff’s deputy. It’s part of a broader wave of law enforcement impersonation and “grandparent” scams targeting unsuspecting citizens across the region.
The Jury Duty Arrest Scam
In the latest case, a man claiming to be a deputy from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is calling people from a 740 area code. His story? You missed jury duty—and now you’re facing immediate arrest unless you pay a fine. Victims are told to meet the “deputy” in front of the actual Sheriff’s Office to hand over the money in person.
This is a scam.
No real deputy will ever call you and demand payment to avoid jail. If you actually had a warrant, a real uniformed deputy—badge and all—would show up in person, not call you to schedule a shady meetup.
If you’ve received a call like this, don’t panic—but do report it. Contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 740-286-6464.
Most importantly:
❌ Do not give out money
❌ Do not buy gift cards
❌ Do not send money via Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, or wire transfers
The Grandparent Scam: A Repeat Offender
This isn’t the first time scammers have preyed on people’s emotions and trust in authority. A few years ago, an elderly Jackson County man lost $12,000 in a frighteningly elaborate scheme.
He got a phone call from someone claiming to be his daughter-in-law. She said she’d been in a car accident, was arrested for using her phone while driving, and only had one call—which she used to reach him. Then a man claiming to be her lawyer, “Walter Dent,” took over.
“Dent” claimed he could get a gag order to keep her mugshot out of the press—but only if the man paid $12,000 for bail immediately. He said a court employee would swing by the victim’s home in a U-Haul to pick up the cash and keep things discreet. Sure enough, a masked man showed up and left with the money.
These types of cons fall under the umbrella of the Grandparent Scam, where fraudsters contact elderly people pretending to be grandchildren or someone calling on their behalf. Their goal? Use fear to rush you into sending money—no questions asked.
Common versions of the scam include:
- “Your grandson is in jail after a DUI crash.”
- “Your granddaughter broke her leg and needs money for surgery.”
- “They’re in a foreign country and got robbed.”
What to Watch For
🛑 Urgency – Scammers push you to act fast so you don’t have time to think
🛑 Secrecy – They’ll say “Don’t tell anyone. It could get them in trouble.”
🛑 Weird Payment Methods – Gift cards, wire transfers, mobile payment apps
🛑 Unfamiliar Voices – If someone claims to be a relative but doesn’t sound right, hang up and call that person directly
🛑 Unmarked Vehicles – No legit government official picks up cash in a U-Haul
How to Protect Yourself
✔️ Verify the story – Call your loved one directly or check with other family members
✔️ Never pay over the phone – Especially not to someone claiming to be law enforcement or a court official
✔️ Report it – To local authorities and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Bottom Line
If someone calls claiming to be a deputy, lawyer, or desperate relative—stop, think, and verify. Scammers are getting smarter, but staying informed is your best defense.
📢 Share this information with your friends and family—especially seniors who are often targeted.
