COOK COUNTY, IL – The Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a telephone scam in which a caller threatens arrest unless thousands of dollars are deposited at a Cook County Jail kiosk.
The Sheriff’s Office has received reports that a caller has been contacting individuals notifying them that they failed to respond to a Grand Jury subpoena issued by the Chief Judge of the federal court. The caller then goes on to say that they must come to 2700 South California Avenue in Chicago, which is the main entrance to Cook County Jail, and deposit $9,500 into a kiosk. Failure to do so would lead to their arrest.
The caller may also have personal information about the recipients of these calls to make the scam appear legitimate.
The public should be aware that these calls are a scam. The Sheriff’s Office does not handle payments for the federal court system, and no government agency requires individuals to make payments at the Cook County Jail or to any person. The Chief Judge of the federal court has not issued these subpoenas.
The public is advised that if they receive a call from someone claiming to be with law enforcement or with the court system, to get the caller’s full name, badge number, and phone number. Do not follow the caller’s instructions. Instead, call the department they claim to represent to determine if there is a reason for contact.
Anyone who has information about this scam, or believes they are a victim of this scam, is asked to call Cook County Sheriff’s Police at 708-865-4896 or 847-635-1188.
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