Palm Desert Couple Nearly Falls Victim to Jury Duty Scam, Warns Others to Stay Vigilant

What began as an ordinary morning for Palm Desert residents Howard Stemson and his wife, Joanne Persons, quickly turned into a frightening ordeal involving a sophisticated jury duty scam.

Stemson said he recently received a jury duty summons for June 4. Due to ongoing health issues and his dependence on an oxygen system, he was unable to serve and submitted the required paperwork explaining his medical condition and inability to attend.

However, on June 5 — just one day after his scheduled jury service date — Stemson received a phone call from someone claiming to be a deputy with the sheriff’s department. The caller referenced the paperwork Stemson had submitted and alleged there was a problem that required immediate action.

Believing the situation could lead to his arrest, Stemson and his wife followed the caller’s instructions and drove to a local Western Union location to make a payment. Throughout the process, the caller repeatedly instructed Stemson not to hang up the phone.

Fortunately, before the transaction was completed, a Western Union employee recognized the warning signs of a scam and intervened, preventing the couple from losing money.

The incident highlights a growing trend of scams in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officials and use fear and urgency to pressure victims into sending money.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, these scams target people of all ages. Scammers often claim individuals have missed jury duty, failed to appear in court, or violated legal requirements, then demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other penalties.

Assistant Sheriff Zach Hall said residents should be skeptical of any unsolicited calls demanding money or personal information. He emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not collect fines or fees over the phone through wire transfers, gift cards, or similar payment methods.

Officials recommend anyone receiving such a call hang up immediately and contact the sheriff’s department or court directly to verify the information.

Although relieved that they avoided becoming victims, Stemson and Persons hope their experience serves as a warning to others.

They encourage residents to take a moment to verify any suspicious requests and remember that scammers often rely on panic and pressure to convince people to act without questioning the situation.

Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspected scams to local law enforcement agencies.