Residents in Walker County are being warned about a phone scam involving callers who falsely claim someone has missed a court date or failed to report for jury duty.

Authorities say multiple reports have been received from individuals who were contacted by someone identifying themselves as an employee of the Walker County Sheriff’s Office. The caller typically tells the victim they have an outstanding warrant due to missing jury duty or a court appearance and must pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest.

Officials stress this is not how legitimate law enforcement agencies operate.

How the Scam Works

In many cases, scammers use a tactic known as “spoofing,” which allows them to manipulate caller ID information so the call appears to be coming from a legitimate local phone number. This makes the call look more convincing.

The scammer often creates a sense of urgency and fear, telling the victim they must act immediately to avoid arrest. They may demand payment through unusual methods such as prepaid debit cards, gift cards, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps. Some scammers may even instruct victims to stay on the phone while withdrawing money.

Law enforcement agencies do not call residents demanding payment over the phone for missed jury duty, nor do they request payment through gift cards or similar methods.

What Residents Should Do

Residents are urged not to provide any personal or financial information to unknown callers. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the Walker County Sheriff’s Office directly at 706-670-1931 to verify the information.

Authorities encourage everyone to remain vigilant and share this warning with friends and family, especially elderly residents who are often targeted in scams like this.