Carlisle police warn of jury duty scam involving cryptocurrency ATMs

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The Carlisle Police Department has reported a surge in scam cases involving individuals impersonating Cumberland County Sheriff Deputies and other law enforcement officers. The scammers are using “spoofed” phone numbers that appear to be from legitimate law enforcement agencies.

According to police, the scam involves claims that the victim failed to appear for jury duty and now has warrants for their arrest. The scammers instruct victims to remain on the phone and deposit money into a cryptocurrency ATM to resolve the supposed warrants. Victims receive QR codes via text message to facilitate the ATM transactions.

Several incidents have been linked to a cryptocurrency ATM at the Red Devil Smoke Shop on North Hanover Street in Carlisle, police said.

Authorities emphasize that law enforcement will never request payment through cryptocurrency or send a courier to collect cash from a residence. Police advise anyone receiving such calls about jury duty or requests to deposit money into an ATM, purchase gift cards, or hand over money to a courier to hang up immediately.