Bay Area Scammers Pressures Victims To Pay Phony Fine For Missed Grand Jury Summons

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- San Francisco Superior Court is warning the public to be wary of scammers who may ask people to wire money due to failed Grand Jury summonses.

The Superior Court learned Wednesday of the scam in which the caller claims to represent the San Francisco Sheriff's Department and informs the victim that a relative did not respond to a Grand Jury summons, according to court officials.

The caller then says the relative will be arrested unless the victim wires money from a pharmacy, court officials said.

The victim is also informed to appear at court on a future date.

Court officials reported the scam to San Francisco police who are investigating the case.

Superior court officials said staff would never call the public asking for information or money.

Anyone who may have more information related to the scam is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department's financial crimes unit at (415) 553-1521.