Sheriff issues phone scam alert

Lake County sheriff's officials are warning about what they say is a new phone scam on the rise. Telephone scammers are stating they are calling from the Lake County Sheriff's Office warrants division, officials said. The scammer tells victims they missed jury duty, and in order to avoid being arrested on charges of contempt of court they must purchase gift cards in the amount of several hundred dollars. Sheriff's police said the office does not accept gift cards as a form of payment for bond or any other fine. The accurate number for the warrants Division is (847) 377-4300 and is answered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.