Hayesville Sheriff’s Office Warns of Jury Duty Scam Targeting Clay County Residents

HAYESVILLE, NC — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Hayesville, North Carolina, has issued a warning to residents about a jury duty scam circulating in the area. According to a recent social media post from the Sheriff’s Office, scammers are contacting individuals via phone, email, or text, falsely claiming to be representatives of the Sheriff’s Office and alleging that recipients have missed jury duty.

The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that these communications are fraudulent and urged residents not to send money or respond to such messages. “If you are notified by phone, email, or text regarding missing jury duty by someone claiming to be from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, it is a scam,” the post stated. The Sheriff’s Office clarified that their professional civil process team contacts individuals in person when necessary, not through electronic means.

Residents who receive suspicious messages or have concerns are encouraged to contact Sergeant Suggs at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office by calling (828) 389-6354 for verification. The Sheriff’s Office stressed the importance of vigilance, noting that scammers impersonating law enforcement are increasingly common. “Please be vigilant to scammers who pretend to be law enforcement, it’s becoming a favorite tactic of criminals,” the post warned.

This scam aligns with similar fraudulent schemes reported across North Carolina, where scammers often claim a warrant has been issued for missing jury duty and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. The North Carolina Judicial Branch confirms that official jury summonses are sent by U.S. mail, and neither the Sheriff’s Office nor court staff will request payments or personal information over the phone or email.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to report suspicious calls or messages to help protect the community from these deceptive tactics.