Sheriff's Office Warns Of Local "Civil Summons" Scam

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Another scam is making it's way around Edmonson County that the local Sheriff's Office is calling a Civil Summons Scam.

In a press release from the Sheriff's Office, officials say they've received several calls over the last two days from residents in the county who say they've received phone calls from an unknown individual asking them to verify the last four digits of their social security number and their birth date. The individual then informs the resident that they have their address and will be at that location to serve a Civil Summons on behalf of local officials and Edmonson County Court.
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"While Plaintiffs can hire an individual to serve civil papers; it is not common practice that information pertaining to social security numbers and birth dates would be verified over the phone," said the press release.

According to the Sheriff, a Civil Summons is filed with the Edmonson County Circuit Court Clerk’s office and then the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office is entrusted with serving that summons-- if the address listed on the summons is in Edmonson County.

"It is the department’s typical process to mail a letter to the defendant, making them aware that legal action has been filed against them in the form of a civil summons and we then ask that they contact the department to arrange for a time to be served, either here at the office or at their residence," said the release.

Officials added that the letter will be signed by the Sheriff's Office Records & Warrant Clerk, Melissa Newkirk.

"In the event the Sheriff’s Department does attempt to serve a Civil Summons at a residence, our Sheriff, as well as our Deputies, will be wearing department issued attire that clearly distinguishes them as an officer with the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office."

Sheriff Shane Doyle had this official statement: "With so many phone scams circulating, it is never a good idea to answer any questions over the phone if they pertain to verifying such personal information as your social security number, birth date, or even address. Even if the questions are asked in a yes or no format, we don’t recommend answering, because there is such a risk of the call being a scam."
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Phone scams can be reported to the Attorney General’s Office at 502-696-5300.