Authorities Warn Of Scam Calls Targeting UA Students, Employees

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD) is warning students and employees about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be a local law enforcement official and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest.

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UAPD says several members of the UA community have reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Chief Alex Miles.

The caller tells victims they failed to report for grand jury duty and will be arrested unless they immediately pay a fine.

UAPD said the calls are fraudulent.

Authorities emphasized that UAPD, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the Tuscaloosa Police Department and other law enforcement agencies do not call people to demand money or request payment to resolve warrants, jury duty issues or other legal matters.

Officials said the scam callers may claim victims missed jury duty, have a grand jury summons, owe a fine or must make an immediate payment to avoid arrest.

Anyone who receives one of these calls is urged to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and never send money or provide credit card details to an unknown caller.

Those who believe they have already fallen victim to the scam should report it to UAPD by calling (205) 348-5454.

UAPD is reminding the campus community that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not resolve legal matters by demanding payment over the phone and encourages anyone who receives a suspicious call to treat it as a scam until it can be verified through official channels.

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