A new wave of phone scams has struck Fond du Lac County, prompting warnings from local law enforcement officials. Over the weekend, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office received a surge of reports regarding a jury duty scam that has been targeting unsuspecting residents in the area.
In this scheme, scammers are placing phone calls while using spoofed numbers to make it seem as though the calls are coming directly from the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center’s non-emergency line. This technique is designed to establish a false sense of credibility and urgency.
Once the victim answers the call, the scammer poses as a law enforcement officer and falsely claims that the individual has failed to appear for jury duty. Victims are then told that they must pay hefty fines immediately or risk being arrested or charged with contempt of court. In some disturbing cases, individuals were even instructed to appear in person at the sheriff’s office to resolve the issue — a tactic used to heighten fear and pressure them into compliance.
The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that these calls are fraudulent. Officials remind the public that neither law enforcement agencies nor court personnel will ever demand payment or personal information over the phone. Any legitimate jury duty summons or failure-to-appear notices are only issued through official mail correspondence, never by phone, email, or text.
Authorities are urging anyone who receives a suspicious call of this nature to hang up immediately and avoid engaging with the caller. Do not provide personal details, banking information, or follow instructions to pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Victims or targets of this scam should report the incident to their local police department or the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, residents can file a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help track and prevent similar scams in the future.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages the community to remain alert and share this warning with friends and family — particularly older adults, who are often targeted in these types of scams.
Staying informed is the best protection