West Plains, MO – Just in time for the Christmas holiday, a new scam with a familiar tune has emerged, targeting citizens in Howell County.
This scam was reported by the Howell County Sheriff’s Office just after midday on December 17th. They warn that the scam follows the common tactic of impersonating an officer and informing the victim of a supposed issue. The scammers then demand payment to resolve it. In this case, the scam involves telling the potential victim that they missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid arrest.
As with any scam in this vein, the best answer to these calls is to immediately hang up and block the number. If you’re still unsure, remember you can always call the Howell County Sheriff’s Office by dialing (417) 256-2544 to confirm any information you’re given.
Do not make any payments over the phone when you are called.
