Phone scammer impersonates Callaway deputy

The Callaway County Sheriff's Office received multiple calls from area residents reporting a telephone scam this week.

The caller reportedly is a man claiming to be a deputy with the Callaway County Sheriff's Office. Residents are being told they have a warrant for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty and they can dispose of the warrant over the telephone. The caller is seeking personal information, including Social Security numbers.

Sheriff Clay Chism said this is a scam.

"Citizens are reminded it is not the standard practice of the Callaway County Sheriff's Office to contact citizens via telephone to advise of an arrest warrant," he said. "Furthermore, arrest warrants cannot be resolved over the telephone; therefore, no law enforcement or court official would seek personal or financial information over the telephone in this manner."

While there are possible court sanctions for failing to appear for jury duty, those are initiated in the court system and respective residents would be contacted personally by a deputy or court official.