Phone scam returns to Flowery Branch, police say one woman duped

The jury duty phone scam has resurfaced - this time in Flowery Branch.

 

Officer Matthew Mahathey with the Flowery Branch Police Department said Thursday the office has received a number of reports this week from residents reporting the suspicious activity.

 

"We have had an influx of calls where there are subjects identifying themselves as a Flowery Branch officer," Mahathey said. "They are targeting businesses. We suspect they are [looking online] and pulling up a manager's name or employee's name and ask for them when they call."

 

As with similar scams that have circulated in the past in North Georgia, the caller tells the person that he or she has missed jury duty and threatens arrest if the person doesn't offer payment on the phone. 

 

"One victim we have actually paid $780 via money-pack cards," Mahathey said. He said once payment is made with the cards, it's difficult to track, so scammers usually get away with the theft. 

 

Mahathey said residents need to remember a couple of things if they get one of these phone calls.  First, police don't demand payment for any kind of fine on the phone. Second, it's not their responsibility to track down people who miss jury duty.

 

"That's handled by a county office. People actually register for jury duty when they get their voter registration card," Mahathey said. "That's not something that would be handled by a local police department."

 

Mahathey said anyone who gets a scam phone call should not engage the caller in conversation, but instead hang up and then contact the police department to report the call. The Flowery Branch Police Department's non-emergency number is 678-967-6336.