Clerk of courts cautions public about jury duty scam texts

The Lucas County Clerk of Courts is warning the public of a call and text messaging scam involving a claim of missed jury duty.

The scammer tells the person the only way to avoid financial penalties or jail time is to meet a representative of the clerk’s office and pay a fee. According to the clerk’s office, one individual was told there was a $9,000 penalty.

“Unfortunately these types of scams are all too common, and that the threat of a government entity makes it seem more official to the recipient,” said J. Bernie Quilter, Lucas County clerk of courts.

Officials said the clerk’s office would never contact citizens regarding missed jury duty or threaten jail time or financial penalty for a missed jury summons.

“It’s a sad commentary that these criminals not only prey on people’s fea