The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is advising residents to be aware that the department is being used in a telephone scam, and not to give out personal information.
A caller identified himself Friday as Bartholomew County Chief Deputy Sheriff’s Maj. Chris Lane, telling the individual that he had missed his service on jury duty and therefore a summons would be issued unless he paid a fine, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
The sheriff’s department said no one from the department would call asking for a monetary fee if jury duty was missed. The department said residents should not give personal information over the phone or send money.
The sheriff’s department said it believe scammers are getting names of deputies online, and the professional nature of the call could cause people to provide the information and funds requested.
Anyone who receives this type of call should hang up and call the sheriff’s department at 812-379-1650 to verify if a deputy actually made the telephone call, the department said.
An investigation of the scam is ongoing.
Anyone who receives a call of this type of scam, or has any information about it, can contact Detective Terry Holderness at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department by calling 812-565-5927 or sending an email to [email protected].
