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WEST VALLEY CITY— A West Valley City man is sending a warning about a new scam.
Layne Wilson says he got a call on his home phone on Thursday from a man claiming to be a sheriff named Lt. Jeff Stevens.
“He gave me a badge number. He gave me a phone number,” said Wilson.
The caller informed him he had failed to report for jury duty and would need to pay a $500 fine. To make the payment, he would need to go to www.green.moneypak.com.
“If I didn’t pay the fine then I’d be arrested right then and there,” said Wilson.
Confused, Wilson asked for the location of the courthouse, and the caller gave him an address outside of West Valley City where Wilson lives.
“I thought, ‘Why would Millard County be wanting me?’ ” Wilson said.
Wilson said he knew it was a scam.
“I told him, I think you’re a phony,” Wilson said.
And the caller became angry.
Typically you're not going to get a phone call from the courts. Usually the proceedings of the courts are done by mail.
–Assistant Police Chief Mike Powell
“He said, ‘How dare you insult me,’ ” Wilson said.
Wilson's money is safe, but he was worried about other potential victims. He reported the call to the West Valley City Police Department.
“Typically you’re not going to get a phone call from the courts. Usually the proceedings of the courts are done by mail,” said Assistant Police Chief Mike Powell, West Valley City Police Department.
It's not the first time a scam like this has been reported to the police department. Police advise to not provide any personal information to a suspicious caller.
“You have to be on the defensive. You can’t be too careful nowadays,” said Wilson.
