JURY DUTY SCAM ALERT! Health First Health Plans Leader is Near-Victim of Attempted Scam, Provides Safety Advice

Fraudsters are more convincing and technologically savvy than ever before

Health First Health Plans’ Director of Marketing and Communications, Dana Kelley Ashley, recently became a “near-victim” herself, and she is using her experience to educate and encourage others to stay alert.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Fraudsters are more convincing and technologically savvy than ever before. And if you haven’t been a victim of a scam yourself, you likely know someone who has.

I’d like to take a few moments to share something that happened to me recently – an experience that was unnerving.

It almost happened to me – and it can certainly happen to you.

A call came in on my cell phone from a local area code. Of course, my natural reaction is to assume most calls are legitimate – whether from work, my pharmacy, my child’s school, or even one of those helpful health screening reminders.

On the other line was a serious, well-spoken man who identified himself as a deputy with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. His message? I had missed a jury duty assignment, and a warrant had been issued for my arrest.

He had dates. He had the right local court in my county. He had addresses. And he almost had ME.

When I recovered from my initial shock, I started asking questions. Maybe my husband missed a summons? Each question from me led to two more from him.

He asked “Have you had any issues receiving mail at your house? Is your email address up to date?” These are all LEADING questions designed to learn as much about you as possible.

Before I could ask too many questions, he offered a way out. There was a special exemption just for me.

All I had to do to get out of the arrest warrant was go to a drugstore that operates bond kiosks to verify the warrant and amount. At that point, an amount would be negotiated with him, and the warrant would be cleared.

I asked if I could call him back … and that’s when the conversation took a dark turn.

“No,” he said. “You have two hours. Stay on the line with me so we can get this cleared up. If you hang up, we will have to assume you won’t cooperate, and we’ll send a deputy to arrest you.”

I asked him for his name and badge number. He instantly gave them to me.

Luckily, my husband was home, so I asked him to contact the sheriff’s office to verify that this call was legitimate. The man on the line overheard this conversation and, without panic or deflection, calmly said, “Ma’am, you’re talking to the sheriff’s office. This is my dedicated line.”

Nevertheless, my husband called and was able to speak with a legitimate deputy, who verified I was in the midst of a scam and told us to hang up immediately.

I consider myself a savvy person, but the serious and professional tone of this person almost fooled me. And it can happen to anyone.

Scammers today are more intellectually and technologically sophisticated than ever before … but you have knowledge on your side.

FIRST – NEVER PANIC!

■ The sheriff’s department will never call you for a jury summons. This is a court issue, not a matter for law enforcement.

■ Law enforcement will never tell you over the phone that there is a warrant for your arrest. This would give you a chance to leave.

■ Contact a local court clerk’s office to see if there is a valid jury duty issue.

If you receive a questionable call, here are a few tips:

■ Ask plenty of questions:

• Am I expecting this?

• Why are they asking?

• Do I recognize the sender or number?

■ Scammers try to rush you into making decisions or taking action, using tactics like limited time offers or threats of negative consequences.

■ They often request sensitive personal information. Legitimate organizations will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account details, or other personal data over the phone.

■ Scammers often insist on funds via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency – forms of payment that make it difficult to get your money back.

■ To establish trust and a sense of urgency, they often pretend to be law enforcement, government officials, or representatives of companies you know.

■ There is often a noticeable pause when you pick up the call before you hear anyone answer. This is their call technology connecting the call when you answer.

What should you do if you suspect a scam?

■ Never provide personal information to unsolicited callers.

■ Verify everything they say independently. If you are unsure of a call, contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number – not one provided by the caller.

■ Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

■ Consider call blocking or call labeling.

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