Scammers are working the phones in Wake Forest, pretending to be cops and court officials and leaning on residents to pay up for bogus fines and warrants. Targets report high-pressure calls demanding quick payment through apps like Venmo or Apple Pay, instructions to buy stacks of gift cards, and even orders to show up with cash in courthouse parking lots. Police say if someone is trying to rush you into handing over money for a supposed warrant, treat the call as a scam and verify it yourself before you do anything.
Wake Forest Officials Say: Stop, Hang Up, Then Call Them Back
In a recent Facebook post, the Town of Wake Forest relayed that the Wake Forest Police Department “will never contact people by phone to request payment for a fine or warrant” and urged residents to double-check any suspicious call by dialing the department directly at 919-554-6150. The town’s official news page repeats the warning and flags common tells, like caller ID that appears to come from a government office and demands to pay with mobile apps or prepaid cards. Anyone who thinks they were targeted is told to end the call, refuse any payment, and report the attempt to WFPD rather than follow the caller’s instructions, with more detail listed in the town’s notice.
How The Jury Duty Scam Usually Unfolds…