If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a sheriff and demanding payment to avoid arrest for missed jury duty, state police say to hang up.
Pennsylvania State Police in Bethlehem said they’ve fielded multiple cases in recent months of the jury duty scam. Victims claim the scammers requested Bitcoin payments in most incidents.
State police currently have the following scams on the books, which duped victims out of a total of roughly $30,000:
- Dec. 20, 2025: A woman received a call from a scammer indicating they were a Northampton County sheriff and had two warrants for her arrest for failing to report for jury duty. The victim made three Bitcoin transactions, totaling $10,000.
- Feb. 9, 2026: A woman received a phone call from a scammer indicating they were a Northampton County sheriff and there was a warrant for her arrest. The victim deposited $4,000 in multiple Bitcoin transactions.
- Feb. 11, 2026: A woman received a phone call from a scammer indicating they were a Northampton County sheriff and had two warrants for her arrest. She made two Bitcoin transactions, totaling $16,500.
Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta said residents reported receiving calls from phone numbers 610-488-2855 and 610-829-5601…