Sheriff warns of jury duty telephone scam

Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti is alerting citizens to be aware of telephone scams.

The most recent scam involves citizens receiving telephone calls from a male, identifying himself as Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Larry Clark, employed with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Stammitti said in a Nov. 29 news release.

Stammitti said there is no Larry Clark presently employed with the office.

This subject identifies himself as a deputy sheriff and calls Lorain County homes advising people they have failed to appear for jury duty, and is issuing a warrant for their arrest, the release said.

In lieu of arrest, the subject advises residents they can pay a fine by purchasing money/gift cards, according to the release.

This subject gives detailed instructions of what types of gift/money cards to purchase and requests the individual to call him back after the purchase is made.

The phone number used is 440-290-4368, the release said. The 290 prefix in a phone number is associated with the city of Mentor in Lake County.

This number is to an unidentified voicemail box, according to the release. This is not a phone number used by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the release, Stammitti wants Lorain County residents to know the Sheriff’s Office does not contact the public regarding warrants over the telephone.

Stammitti suggests that if anyone needs to verify any of the Lorain County deputy sheriffs employment status, to contact the communications office at 440329-3710.