Akron Police Alert Residents to Jury Duty Phone Scam
AKRON, OH — The Akron Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam involving a caller impersonating a police lieutenant. In a statement posted to Facebook, the department reported that the scammer identifies as "Lt. Scott Waller" and claims to have “documents received today” or falsely states that the recipient missed jury duty, resulting in a warrant for their arrest. APD clarified, "We do not have a Lt. Scott Waller in the department and APD does NOT call citizens about jury duty."
In response to the warning, multiple community members have shared their experiences with similar scams. Some reported receiving calls from individuals using different fake names while claiming to be law enforcement officers. Others described threats of immediate arrest for missing jury duty, despite knowing that such matters are handled through official mail notifications rather than phone calls.
Akron Police urge anyone receiving such calls to immediately hang up and avoid engaging with the scammer. The department emphasizes that it does not conduct official jury duty-related communications by phone. Residents who encounter these scams are encouraged to report them to local law enforcement.
The warning is part of an ongoing effort to combat a larger pattern of fraudsters impersonating police officers to deceive individuals. In similar schemes, scammers attempt to extract personal information or money by creating a sense of urgency. Authorities advise the public to remain cautious of unsolicited calls, especially those demanding payment or personal details.
By keeping the community informed, the Akron Police Department aims to prevent further incidents and protect residents from falling victim to fraud. Officials stress the importance of verifying the identity of anyone claiming to represent a law enforcement agency and never sharing sensitive information over the phone.
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