Jury Duty Scams and How to Avoid Them!

Don’t Fall for the Gavel:

Jury duty. It’s a civic responsibility, a cornerstone of our justice system. And unfortunately, it’s also a common target for scammers looking to exploit your fear and civic duty for their own financial gain. These sophisticated cons can be incredibly convincing, often leaving victims out of pocket and shaken. But by understanding their tactics, you can protect yourself.

How the Scam Works: A Web of Deceit

Jury duty scams typically begin with an unexpected and urgent communication, usually a phone call, but sometimes an email or text message. The scammer, posing as a court official, U.S. Marshal, sheriff’s officer, or other law enforcement personnel, will claim you’ve missed jury duty and now face serious consequences – immediate arrest, hefty fines, or even jail time.

Here’s a breakdown of their common tactics:

• Impersonation and Intimidation: Scammers are masters of deception. They may use real names of judges, court officials, or law enforcement, and even “spoof” phone numbers to make it appear as though they’re calling from a legitimate courthouse or government agency. They’ll use aggressive and threatening language to create a sense of panic and urgency, pressuring you to act immediately.
• Fabricated Warrants and Fines: You’ll be told there’s a warrant out for your arrest, and the only way to avoid it is to pay a fine. They might even send a fake arrest warrant via text or email to make their claims seem more credible.
• Demands for Untraceable Payments: This is a major red flag. Scammers almost always demand payment through methods that are difficult to trace and recover, such as gift cards (Green Dot, iTunes, etc.), cryptocurrency, wire transfers (Western Union, MoneyGram), or payment apps.
• Requests for Sensitive Information: In addition to money, they may try to extract your personal information, like your Social Security number, date of birth, or bank details, under the guise of “verifying your identity” or “checking court records.” This information can then be used for identity theft.
• High-Pressure Tactics: They’ll insist you stay on the phone while you go to purchase gift cards or arrange a wire transfer. This is to prevent you from researching their claims or contacting legitimate authorities. They’ll create a false sense of urgency, claiming offices are about to close or that the warrant will be executed “any minute.”

The Truth About Jury Duty Communications

It’s crucial to understand how legitimate courts operate:

• Official Communications are by Mail: Genuine jury summonses and notices regarding failure to appear are always sent via U.S. mail. You will not receive an unexpected phone call, email, or text message demanding immediate action for missed jury duty.
• No Immediate Payment Demands: Courts and law enforcement agencies will never demand immediate payment over the phone or by email for missed jury duty. Fines, if imposed, happen after you’ve had an opportunity to appear in court and explain your circumstances, and are always in writing.
• No Requests for Sensitive Information Over the Phone: Legitimate court officials will never ask for your Social Security number, credit card details, or other sensitive financial information over the phone or via email.
• Arrest Warrants are Served In Person: A legitimate arrest warrant will always be served in person by a law enforcement officer, not threatened over the phone or sent digitally.

What to Do If You’re Targeted:

If you receive a suspicious call, email, or text about jury duty, remember these key steps:

1. Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage with the scammer, no matter how convincing or threatening they sound.
2. Do Not Provide Information or Payment: Never give out any personal or financial information, and absolutely do not send money through any requested payment method.
3. Verify Independently: If you’re concerned a call might be legitimate, independently verify your jury duty status. Do NOT use any phone numbers or links provided by the suspicious caller or email. Instead, find the official contact information for your local Clerk of Superior Court or federal court online (e.g., via the North Carolina Judicial Branch website) and call them directly.
4. Report the Scam:
   • Contact your local Sheriff’s Office.
   • Report it to the N.C. Attorney General’s Office or call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
   • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
   • You can also report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself and help prevent others from falling victim to these pervasive jury duty scams. Your civic duty is important, but so is your financial security and peace of mind.