Jury duty scam calls involve fraudsters posing as law enforcement or court officials, claiming you missed jury duty and face immediate arrest or fines. They demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to "clear" the warrant. These are fake; courts never call for payment or personal information, which is handled via mail.
Protect Yourself
- Hang Up Immediately: If a caller claims you missed jury duty and demands payment, it is a scam.
- Verify Independently: Contact your local court directly using an official number from their website, not the one provided by the caller.
- Do Not Pay: Real courts do not demand immediate payment over the phone.
- Never Share Information: Do not give social security numbers or banking details to anyone claiming to be with the court on the phone.
If Targeted
- Report the Scam: Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local police department.
- Act Fast: If you sent money, contact your bank or payment provider immediately.
Legitimate jury summons are always sent through the mail. Scammers may use real names of court officials to sound convincing, but they rely on fear and urgency to steal money or sensitive personal information.