News Summary
Residents of Horry County, including a Myrtle Beach woman, are falling prey to a distressing jury duty scam. The victim received a threatening call from an impersonator posing as law enforcement, demanding cash payment for missed jury duty. Thanks to the intervention of her daughter, the situation was resolved before any money was lost. The scam involves coercion for payments via unconventional means like Bitcoin, raising significant concern among local authorities. The Horry County Sheriff’s Office is actively promoting awareness to protect residents from similar fraudulent schemes.
Myrtle Beach Woman Warns About Distressing Jury Duty Scam Targeting Residents in Horry County
A Myrtle Beach resident recently experienced a disturbing phone scam related to jury duty that is affecting residents in Horry County. Deborah Bello received a call from a number in Summerville claiming she missed her federal jury duty and was threatened with a $200 bail. The impersonator, posing as a member of the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, had personal information, including Bello’s address and maiden name, making the claim seem credible.
Bello described the experience as incredibly overwhelming, stating that the pressure she faced during the call was unlike anything she had encountered in her professional career. The scam escalated when she was instructed to withdraw cash and directed to a location featuring a Bitcoin ATM after being told to visit a sheriff’s office to resolve the situation.
Fortunately, her daughter recognized the call as suspicious and intervened, advising Bello to cease all communication with the caller. Upon reviewing the documents that had been sent to her, Bello noticed numerous warning signs, including references to unfamiliar banks and the insistence on payment with Bitcoin. These indicators suggested that the communication was fraudulent.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) confirms that legitimate jury duty notifications are communicated through official mail, not by phone or email. Courts would not request payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, further highlighting the illegitimacy of the demand made to Bello.
Scam Trends and Government Response
Sheriff Phillip Thompson of Horry County has issued alerts regarding these types of scams, noting that impersonators are posing as deputies and threatening individuals with jail time for allegedly missing jury duty. On a daily basis, the sheriff’s office receives up to 30 reports regarding such scams. Victims range from retirees to business professionals, indicating that these scams are not exclusively targeting seniors.
Reported tactics include pressuring victims for urgent payments through credit cards, Cash App, and Bitcoin, further complicating the issue for law enforcement. Sheriff Thompson emphasized that no legitimate law enforcement agency would demand money over the phone. Residents are advised to hang up immediately and avoid engaging with suspected scammers.
The Horry County Sheriff’s Office is actively promoting awareness of these scams through various outreach efforts, utilizing social media and distributing door hangers to inform residents. They encourage individuals who fall victim to such scams to report the incidents directly to them, recognizing the difficulty in tracing these scams—especially when they originate from outside the United States.
Identifying and Avoiding Scams
As these scams continue to evolve, understanding how to identify them is vital. Residents of Horry County should be aware of the common signs of fraud, such as unsolicited calls requesting payment for jury duty, especially through unconventional means like cryptocurrency. Additionally, legitimate legal notices will come in writing rather than over the phone.
Engaging with the local community and law enforcement can help both individuals and families protect themselves from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. The sheriff’s office encourages individuals to discuss these matters with loved ones, especially the elderly, to ensure everyone is aware of the latest tactics used by scammers.
By staying informed and cautious, residents can help disrupt the cycle of scamming and protect themselves from financial harm.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Horry County Residents Warned About Scammers
Beware, Horry County Residents! Scam Calls on the Rise
Greenville Residents and Businesses Targeted by Phone Scams
Additional Resources
- WMBF News: Scam Calls Claiming You Missed Jury Duty
- WBTW: Horry County Scammers Impersonating Deputies
- Myrtle Beach Online: Latest Crime Reports
- ABC News 4: Conway Family Scam Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scam
