JAMES CITY — James City County Police are warning residents to be aware of a jury duty scam circulating in the area.
Three people, all employees of local elementary schools, reported Tuesday that they received phone messages from someone posing as a Williamsburg-James City County Sheriff’s Office deputy, police spokeswoman Stephanie Williams said.
Williams said the man called the schools where the employees work and left messages with staff saying the employee did not show up for jury duty. The man used the name of a real deputy who works at the Williamsburg-James City County courthouse.
Upon calling the man back, he told the employees they have two outstanding fines for contempt of court and failure to appear, each carrying a $500 fine.
The man instructed the employees to get $500 in cash and meet him in the sheriff’s office parking lot at the courthouse to pay their fines, Williams said.
None of the school employees met the man or paid him money.
“The court and police will not request payment in lieu of arrest,” Williams said.
