The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to beware of a scammer posing as a deputy and soliciting money over the phone.
On Friday, the Sheriff’s Office announced receiving multiple reports from county residents who took calls from someone posing as department representative.
The imposter reportedly tells people they’re facing fines and possible arrest for failure to report to jury duty. The fraudulent caller then tells them how to pay the fine over the phone using the Internet payment service PayPal or pre-paid gift cards.
“This is a dangerous theft scam,” Lt. Sam Eggleston said in a news release. “If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the La Plata County Communication Center (central dispatch) at 970-385-2900 to make a report through the appropriate law enforcement agency.”
Eggleston warns recipients of these calls not to send any money. The Sheriff’s Office does not fine people who do not show for jury duty.
