COLLIER COUNTY — Please be aware that scammers are contacting Florida residents claiming they missed jury duty and requesting residents to pay a fine by purchasing a gift card to clerks’ offices. This was reported in the Manatee and Sarasota County area, and the spread of the scam is unclear.

Clerk Kinzel alerts Collier County residents and advises citizens to never give personal or financial information over the phone to a stranger, especially if the caller acts aggressively. For example, anyone asking for payments to be made through a gift card is a high scammer risk. Also, be wary of caller ID, as this can be spoofed, making a phone call look like it is coming from a natural source.

“If you receive a call from someone saying you’ve missed jury duty and need to pay a fine, immediately hang up the phone.” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Our office does not offer the option to purchase a gift card; please contact our office immediately at 239-252-2646 to report fraud.”

For more information, please visit www.CollierClerk.com