Jury duty scam calls are a known and growing type of phone scam. Scammers impersonate court officials or law enforcement to trick people into paying fake fines or giving personal information. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
🔹 How the scam works
Caller impersonation
The scammer claims to be from the court system, sheriff’s office, or federal agency.
They may sound very official and have spoofed caller IDs that show legitimate court phone numbers.
Threats and urgency
You’re told you missed jury duty or have an outstanding warrant.
They threaten arrest, fines, or legal action if you don’t comply immediately.
Payment requests
They ask for payment via gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers — never a legitimate court payment method.
Sometimes they request your social security number or bank info for “verification.”
Follow-up attempts
If you resist, they may call repeatedly, escalate threats, or ask you to “confirm” personal info.
🔹 Red flags
Caller demands immediate payment to avoid arrest.
Requests gift cards or cryptocurrency instead of official payment channels.
Caller ID shows a “local” or official-looking number, but it’s spoofed.
Threats of jail for a minor missed jury duty.
Pressure tactics: “You must act now!”
🔹 What to do
Don’t panic or pay. Legitimate courts will never demand payment over the phone.
Do not give personal info: social security, bank account, or credit card numbers.
Hang up and verify:
Call the official court number listed on your jury summons.
Check online for your court’s jury duty portal.
Report the scam:
FBI IC3: https://www.ic3.gov
State Attorney General’s office.
Block and screen calls
Use phone settings or apps to block suspicious numbers.
Don’t call back unknown numbers claiming to be a court.
🔹 Extra tip
Scammers often target older adults because they may be more trusting or unfamiliar with tech-based warnings. Sharing info with family or friends can help prevent victims.
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