Prank calling tileHamilton County Circuit Court Clerk Paula T. Thompson is urging residents not to fall victim to prank phone calls about jury duty.
Thompson, who also is Hamilton County jury coordinator, said her office has been notified that residents are getting calls suggesting they failed to report for jury duty and will be fined $500 and serve a 30-day prison sentence for failing to appear, a news release from the county stated.
Victims are being contacted via text and/or email and told to call a number to receive a message. The phone numbers are 704-319-7254, and 704-319-7242. The release stated Thompson is urging citizens not to call these numbers and fall victim to this prank.
In Hamilton County, residents who fail to report for jury duty can be fined up to $500, but would be contacted by the jury coordinator via mail, or be served by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department with a court date to appear in front of a Judge, according to the news release.
The Hamilton County jury department would never text or email residents to say they owe any money and/or need to serve any time in prison, Thompson said.