A scam alert warning from the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office. A resident reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be with the sheriff's office telling them there was a warrant for their arrest for not showing up for jury duty.
The victim told officials the caller identified himself as Lieutenant Vansberry. The caller also used names of actual Court House employees and deputies. The number the scammer was calling from is 712-209-6266 but that number can be spoofed or changed depending on who is calling.
Sheriff's officials say this is a scam and the calls are not coming from their office.
Scammers usually bait their victims saying they will work with them to clear up the issue if they pay a fine. If the scammer calls a person on a land line they are requested to provide a cell phone number so they can stay in constant contact. The scammers then try to walk the victim through the process of purchasing a gift card to make payment for that fake fine. This also lets the scammer know if the victim is speaking to someone who may warn them they are being scammed.