The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a DeSoto County phone scam in which callers pretend to be law enforcement officers and pressure people to pay for a missed jury duty date, an outstanding warrant, or unpaid fines. The sheriff’s office says the calls are fake and that deputies will never demand payment over the phone.
The warning came in a “Scam Alert” the department shared this week on its official Facebook page, saying scammers “are at it again.” Action News 5 also reported on the alert Thursday.
How the DeSoto County Phone Scam Works
The sheriff’s office says the caller claims to be with law enforcement and tells the person on the line that they are in trouble. Common claims include:
You missed jury duty and now owe a fine
There is a warrant out for your arrest
You owe court fees or other fines that must be paid right away
The caller then pushes the victim to pay quickly, often with a payment method that is hard to trace or reverse. The sheriff’s office listed Bitcoin kiosks, Cash App, Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, credit cards, and gift cards as methods scammers have demanded.
Scams like this work by creating fear and urgency. A caller may use an official-sounding title, mention a real court or agency, or even spoof the caller ID so the call appears to come from a local number.
Sheriff’s Office: Hang Up and Verify
The department was direct in its message: “This is a scam.” It said the DCSO will never call to demand payment and will never require payment through cryptocurrency or payment apps.
If you get one of these calls, the sheriff’s office recommends that you:
Hang up immediately
Do not send money
Do not give out personal information
Contact the sheriff’s office directly to verify whether there is any real issue
Residents can reach the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 469-8027. The department asked people to share the warning so friends and family, especially older relatives, know what to watch for.
Tips to Protect Yourself From Imposter Calls
Courts and law enforcement agencies handle jury duty issues, warrants, and fines through official notices and processes, not demands for gift cards or app transfers. A few simple steps can help:
Never trust caller ID alone. Look up the agency’s number yourself and call back.
Be suspicious of any caller who demands immediate payment or threatens arrest if you hang up.
Never pay a fine with gift cards, a Bitcoin kiosk, or a payment app at a caller’s direction.
If you already sent money, contact your bank or payment app right away, then report it to the sheriff’s office.
Imposter scams can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
