FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIANA—On June 17, 2014, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received numerous reports from local residents indicating each had received a phone call in which the party claimed to represent the Shelby County Police Department.

The caller told residents that each had failed to report for jury duty, and a warrant had been issued for his or her arrest. The caller then stated that he could accept payment for the fine over the telephone.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office would like to warn the public that no officer of the court will ever solicit payment for a fine over the telephone. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office does not collect fines or solicit money for any purpose.

Furthermore, the local and state judicial system does not contact residents by phone to ask for personal information such as your social security number, date of birth or credit card numbers.

If you receive one of these phone calls, do not provide any personal or confidential information to these individuals and do not offer payment over the telephone.

If you have already been contacted and have already given out your personal information, please monitor your account statements and credit reports and contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

For further information, please review the warnings posted on the U.S. Courts website at Uscourts.gov.