Jury duty scams involve a caller, claiming to be law enforcement, demanding immediate payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or a fake website to avoid arrest for missing jury duty. However, the court will never contact you this way to demand money to avoid arrest. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately, do not provide any personal information or payment, and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your local Clerk of Court’s office, and local law enforcement.
What to Look For
- Pressure to pay immediately – Scammers want you to pay NOW to avoid being arrested
- Demand for specific payment methods – Often request gift cards, wire transfers, or though a fake website.
- Impersonation of officials – Caller may claim to be law enforcement, Marshals, or court officer.
- Threat of arrest – It would not be complete if there was not a threat of being arrested. They will claim there is a warrant out for your arrest.
- Attempts to steal your information – They may ask for your Social Security Number and date of birth to “verify” it is you.
What to Do Next
Hang up immediately. Do not engage!
Don’t meet someone or go to a specific location – Officials will never ask you to meet them to pay a fine.
Never send money in the ways listed above – Courts will never accept payments by the ways listed above.
Verify with the court – Hang up on the caller and call the real court number and verify if you truly missed a summons.
As always, please feel free to reach out to us if you have any thoughts on this.
Stay Safe Out There!