Kenosha County, WI – Residents across Wisconsin, including those in Kenosha and Racine counties, have been targeted by a recent increase in a “missed jury duty” scam, according to local law enforcement agencies.
According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, scammers are impersonating members of the Sheriff’s Office, falsely claiming that individuals have missed jury duty. These scammers then coerce victims into paying fines to avoid arrest, often demanding payment through gift cards.
The scam, which has seen a surge in recent days, involves the caller alleging missed jury duty obligations and then pressing for immediate payment. Law enforcement stresses that real members of the Sheriff’s Office would never discourage verification of their identity or demand payment in such a manner.
In response, the Sheriff’s Office advises residents to verify the caller’s authenticity through the Racine County Communications Center’s non-emergency number at (262) 886-2300. They also recommend not sharing personal information, being wary of urgent requests, reporting suspicious calls, and educating others about such scams to prevent further victimization.
