A jury scam involves individuals impersonating court or law enforcement officials. Scammers falsely claim you missed jury duty and now have a warrant for your arrest. Using fear and intimidation, they manipulate victims into surrendering:
- Personal information (e.g., Social Security number, bank details)
- Money or electronic payments
They may pressure you to buy a prepaid debit/money card or gift card, or make an immediate electronic payment to "settle" the fake fine and avoid arrest.
⚠️ IMPORTANT:
Courts and law enforcement will NEVER contact you by phone or email to demand personal information or payment to avoid arrest.
What to Do If You're Targeted
If you receive a suspicious phone call, email, or message demanding payment for missing jury duty:
- Do NOT give out personal or financial information.
- Do NOT buy prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or make any form of payment.
- Avoid pressure tactics – scammers often create urgency to fluster you.
- Immediately contact your local law enforcement to report the incident.
By reporting it, you can help authorities fight this fraudulent trend and prevent others from falling victim.
Protect Yourself: Tips to Avoid Jury Scams
- ❌ Don’t share personal or financial information with unknown callers.
- 💳 Never use gift cards or money cards to pay fines.
- 🧠 Stay calm – don’t let fear override your judgment.
- 📞 Report suspicious communications right away.
Note:
If you actually miss jury service, the court may require you to appear in person and explain your absence before a judge. You will not be asked to pay a fine over the phone or by email.
