Scam callers are the worst… and even if your phone has a spam blocker, they can still sometimes sneak through. According to the FTC, these are the area codes most likely to scam or spam call residents of Louisiana and Texas, so beware when one of these area codes pops up. Area codes known to be associated with scam and spam calls are 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849, and 876.  

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified one particular phone scam that is currently being perpetrated in north Louisiana. This involves the transfer of money where the caller identifies themselves as a sheriff with the parish. The number the call comes from will appear as a local number. 

OPSO said this in their Facebook post. 

The caller will then tell the person answering the call that they have missed Jury Duty and owe a substantial cash fine to avoid arrest. The caller will then give instructions to the victim to withdraw cash and take it to a specific kiosk that accepts cash to deposit it.

You are reminded that the Sheriff’s Office does not solicit fines or payments in this manner, never asking anyone over the phone to pay in cash or by credit or debit card using a kiosk for the transaction.

If you believe you have been the victim of this SCAM or similar scams, contact your local law enforcement agency.