Sheriff’s office warns of phone scams involving jury duty, real estate companies

January 26, 2026 - 05:45

The Bowie County Sheriff's Office has issued a public warning regarding a sophisticated phone scam targeting local residents. Authorities report that individuals are receiving fraudulent calls from criminals impersonating law enforcement officials or court officers.

In this scheme, the caller aggressively informs the victim they have missed jury duty and now have an outstanding warrant for their arrest. To avoid immediate arrest, the scammer instructs the victim to pay a fine, often demanding payment via prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The callers frequently use spoofing technology to make it appear the call is coming from a legitimate government phone number, adding a layer of credibility to their threats.

The Sheriff's Office emphasizes that no legitimate court or law enforcement agency will ever call to demand immediate payment over the phone for fines or warrants, especially through unconventional methods like gift cards. Residents receiving such calls are urged to hang up immediately and verify any legal matters directly through official channels. Citizens should contact the Bowie County District Clerk's office for jury duty questions or the Sheriff's Office directly to confirm any alleged warrants. Officials remind the public to never provide personal information or payment to unsolicited callers.