FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2016 Contact: Kraig Troxell, Public Information Officer, 703-771-5278 [email protected] Alex Kowalski, Public Information Officer, 703-777-0625 [email protected] LCSO & Clerk of the Circuit Court Warn of New Twist in ‘Jury Duty’ Scam Loudoun County, VA- A new twist on the ‘jury duty’ scam has the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Loudoun County reminding residents that law enforcement will never contact you to collect fines for an outstanding warrant. In the last few weeks, several Loudoun residents reported receiving a call from a person claiming to be a Lieutenant Vance Berry with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. The caller states that a warrant has been issued for the resident’s arrest because they failed to report for jury duty. The caller goes on to say that they can avoid arrest by paying a fine by obtaining money cards from a local store. In the latest case, the victim paid the monies and was sent an invoice with ‘Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office’ across the top to make the scam appear legitimate. “These thieves use the appearance of authority and prey on a person’s fears in hopes that the victim will be more willing to provide the money,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, under no circumstance would a law enforcement official in Virginia be permitted to collect fines of this nature. Only the judges of the circuit court can order the payment of fines for failure to report for jury duty, but individuals would be required to attend a court hearing and explain why they neglected to report for jury duty before any fines are assessed. “Jury service is an important civic duty,” said Gary M. Clemens, Loudoun Clerk of the Circuit Court. “We do not want potential jurors to be intimidated or discouraged to serve as jurors by virtue of individuals who use these deceitful tactics to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.” If you are a resident of Loudoun County and believe you were a victim of this scam or of a similar scam, please contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s at 703-777-1021 or file a report online Here. ###