These days it seems there are an unlimited number of ways scammers will try to take advantage of us. According to the FBI a scam that is on the rise is scammers posing as officers of the court. Here is how it works:

You get a call from someone saying you have failed to show up for jury duty and there is a warrant out for your arrest.

When you tell them you never received a summons they pretend there may have been a mix up in the system.

The official sounding person on the phone tells you they need your social security number, name and other information to run you through the system and make sure there wasn’t an error on their part. Answer them and they win.

They now have your personal information!

The jury duty scam has been going on for years, but according to the FBI they have seen an increase in reports over the past few months. The FBI says court officers never ask personal information over the phone. If they need to find out information, they will send you a letter through the mail.

If someone calls claiming to be an officer of the court and asks for your personal information don’t give them the time of day – just hang up.

Betty Ramsey is the publisher of the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Her email address is betty.ramsey@tryondailybulletin.com.