Courts warning about scam over ‘missed’ jury dury

Posted on December 17, 2014

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO – Illinois residents are being warned about a phone scam in which victims are told there's a warrant for their arrest because of missed jury duty. They're also told they can avoid arrest by paying a fine.
 
The Illinois Supreme Court has issued an alert to courts throughout the state, saying that the scam has recently been carried out in Kendall County.
 
The caller identifies himself as "Captain David Allen" from the "Federal Warrant Division" and tells victims that a specific judge has issued an arrest warrant.
 
Victims are asked to buy a "money pack" – a prepaid credit card available at many stores – then call "Captain Allen" at a specific phone number.  The victim is asked to read the numbers off the money pack to settle the false fine.
 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…