A TLS reader is warning others after receiving a frightening call from someone claiming he had jury duty and had to report immediately to a sheriff’s department.

In voice notes sent to TLS, the reader said the caller insisted he could not disconnect the call before arriving. The caller sounded professional, patient and convincing, the reader said.

The demand to stay on the line raised a red flag when the reader said he wanted to hang up and independently call the sheriff’s office to verify the story.

The reader said the sheriff’s office was contacted separately and confirmed it was a scam. The reader did not identify which sheriff’s department was contacted or where the call was received.

The New Jersey Judiciary advises anyone receiving a suspicious call to hang up and call the official number of the court or law enforcement agency to check the claim. Threats and pressure to act immediately are warning signs.

Look up that number yourself on the agency’s official website. Do not rely on a number supplied by the caller or the name displayed on caller ID.

The Judiciary does contact jurors by phone, text and email, but court officials will never demand payment to avoid arrest for missing jury duty or request bank or credit card details. Suspicious jury-duty communications should be reported to the county jury management office and local law enforcement.