The Jefferson County Library is alerting residents to a potential scam email.
In a July 2 email to library cardholders, staff at the Jefferson County Library said they have become aware of an email scam that looks like an overdue notice coming from the library.
“The email may appear official, but it is not,” the email stated. “The fraudulent email is a known scam requesting payment for an overdue copy of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ or another title. At Jefferson County Library, residents are not charged late fees for overdue items.
“You will never be sent an email that includes a link to pay a fine.”
The library advises residents to avoid clicking on any link to pay for an overdue item. By clicking on a phishing link, the resident may install malware on his or her electronic device.
JLC said in the email that any bills for replacing lost items or fines for library users outside the district must be paid for in person at a kiosk.
According to the library’s website, materials that are 14 days overdue are “assumed to be lost” and patrons will be billed for replacing the item. However, once the item is returned to the library all bills will be waived. Overdue fines are still in place for certain items including Wi-Fi hotspots, telescopes, fishing poles, and interlibrary loans.
The library also included actions to be taken if a resident receives an email that does not appear to be from a trusted source:
■ Do not open it
■ Delete it immediately
■ Do not click links that appear in the message
■ Do not download any attachments
■ Do not reply to the sender and do not call phone numbers provided in the message
If library users are in doubt that an email is coming from a trusted source, they are encouraged to call the library at the following numbers. For the Arnold branch, call 636-296-2204. For the Cedar Hill branch, call 636-551-1020. For the Northwest branch, call 636-677-8186 or call 636-461-1914 for the Windsor branch.
“We’re here to help,” the library said.