West Burlington, Iowa

PRESS RELEASE

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office would like to warn area residents of a phone scam.  There has been several incidents in which residents have received phone calls informing them that there are bench warrants for their arrest because they had failed to show up for jury duty or for other offenses.  The person making the calls identified himself as a person who is a current Des Moines County Sheriff Deputy.  A recent scam in Johnson County Iowa was very similar, but added the demand that the person send money or face arrest.  The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office does not call people to inform them of warrants, and would certainly never ask for money over the phone to take care of a warrant.  The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office would like to caution residents about phone calls requesting money, as most calls of this type are a scam.  Always ask the person’s name and a number to call them back at as legitimate businesses will have no problem with that.