Cole County Sheriff Greg White is warning residents of a scam.
Some county residents are being told they missed jury duty last month, but they can avoid the warrants issued for that failure by buying a couple of "Green Dot" prepaid debit cards.
In a news release issued by Chief Deputy John Wheeler, the sheriff says scammers tell people answering their phones that they are Cole County Deputy James Marshall.
But, Wheeler reported, the department doesn't have a James Marshall on the staff.
The caller identifying himself as Marshall tells the person answering the phone that Circuit Judge Pat Joyce has issued two warrants because of the missed jury duty - one for the missed jury duty and the other for contempt of court.
The caller tells the resident to get two prepaid debit cards, with $500 on each card, and bring those cards to the courthouse on a specific date.
"Marshall" then asks for a cell phone number, so he can keep in direct contact - then calls back later, says he can't make the pre-arranged meeting but will take care of the warrants if they'll give him the Green Dot card numbers.
If the victims tell him they are not giving him a cell phone number, he hangs up.
The sheriff's news release encourages anyone getting such a call to "not give them money" and, instead, contact local law enforcement.