Sheriff warns Newberry residents about telephone scam

A scam artist claiming to be a deputy with the Newberry County Sheriff’s office has called people in the county claiming a warrant for missed jury duty has been issued against them, the sheriff warned Saturday.

The caller tells the prospective victim that the warrant will be dropped if he or she pays varying amounts of money through Western Union or a Visa Gift card. Failing that, the victim must turn himself in to the sheriff’s office, the caller warns.

The sheriff’s department will never ask that money be wired or fines be paid by gift cards, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.

Local retailers are being asked to be alert to customers who are in obvious distress buying a gift card to stay out of jail.

If you have gotten a call like the one described, call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, text CRIMES (274637) and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC” followed by the tip information, or log onto www.midlandscrimestoppers.com and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.

FROM STAFF REPORTS