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Phone scammers telling people in Grand Rapids they must pay for not showing up for jury duty

Posted at 9:27 AM, May 20, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-20 09:27:06-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Police are warning us that the latest phone scam seeks to get you to pay cash to avoid begin arrested for failing to show up for jury duty. The scammers claim to be with the Grand Rapids Police Department Warrant Division.

Here’s how GRPD describes the scam:

The caller tells the victim that the victim has failed to report for jury duty. The victim is told they have to pay money or be arrested on a warrant. The victim is instructed to get a prepaid credit card for a specific amount and call the scammer back. When the victim calls, they get a message that says the victim has reached the GRPD Warrants Division (In the Grand Rapids Police Department, it’s actually called the Warrants Unit.) After the victim supplies the number of the prepaid card, the scammer empties the card of the money.

The scammer’s number has been traced to Georgia.

If you receive a call like this, contact the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-3604.