Authorities including the FTC and FBI are warning the public about a jury duty scam where callers impersonate law enforcement, threaten arrest warrants, and demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Real court notices are sent by mail.
This scam preys on citizens' respect for the legal system and fear of law enforcement, potentially leading to significant financial losses and distress for victims. Awareness of these tactics is crucial for protecting individuals and maintaining trust in civic processes.
Local and federal authorities are alerting the public to a prevalent scam that exploits the civic duty of jury service to defraud individuals. Scammers are reportedly contacting people, claiming they have missed jury duty and face an arrest warrant. These callers may impersonate U.S. Marshals or local police officers, using spoofed caller ID to appear legitimate. To create a sense of urgency and fear, they threaten immediate arrest if a fine is not paid promptly.
The payment methods demanded by these scammers are a significant red flag, often including cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers, which no legitimate government agency would request over the phone. One reported incident involved a woman who was nearly defrauded of $9,000 before her bank intervened. Real court notices regarding jury duty are always sent through the mail, not via text or email, and do not involve immediate threats of arrest for non-compliance.
Authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI, are urging citizens to be suspicious of unsolicited calls and to never provide personal information or money to unknown callers. They advise verifying any claims made by such callers by directly contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officials. The FTC also requests that individuals report any encounters with these jury duty scams.
Pick the topics you care about. Get only what matters, on your cadence.