They say you should never ignore a jury duty summons, but scammers are taking that advice to an extreme—by threatening innocent people with arrest if they don’t pay up! Let’s dive into how this latest jury duty scam works and how you can protect yourself.
A new wave of scams is sweeping across the country, targeting seniors and other vulnerable individuals with frightening claims. Scammers impersonate law enforcement officers or court officials, falsely accusing their victims of missing jury duty. To avoid arrest, the victim is told to make an immediate payment—often in the thousands—through prepaid credit cards, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods.
How It Works:
- The Setup: Scammers contact victims via phone calls, text messages, or emails, claiming they have missed jury duty.
- The Threat: They use aggressive tactics, warning the victim that they will be arrested unless they pay a hefty fine immediately.
- The Payment Demand: The fraudsters insist on payment through non-traceable means, such as prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
- The Official Appearance: These messages may look and sound official, using real court names and even spoofing legitimate phone numbers to appear credible.
Who’s Targeted:
This scam primarily preys on older adults, but anyone can fall victim. The fear of legal trouble makes many people panic and comply without verifying the claims. The scam has been reported in multiple states, including California, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Florida, among others.
Real-Life Example:
Chief Judge Jerry Wiese warns, “This scam repeatedly makes the rounds in our community, but we’re seeing an elevated version this time. They are using text messages and other methods that appear to be reaching many more people.”
Why You Should Care:
Falling for this scam could mean losing thousands of dollars, not to mention the emotional stress and fear that comes with believing you’re in legal trouble. Additionally, sharing personal information with scammers can lead to identity theft, putting your finances and credit at further risk.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Know the Facts: Courts never call, text, or email demanding payment for a missed jury duty summons.
- Don’t Engage: If you receive such a message, do not respond. Hang up or delete the text immediately.
- Verify Independently: If you’re concerned, contact your local courthouse directly using a verified phone number.
- Never Pay Scammers: Legitimate government agencies will never demand payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
- Report It: Notify your state’s Attorney General’s office or the Metro Financial Crimes Unit if you receive one of these fraudulent messages.
Quick Tips:
✅ Did you know? Courts only communicate about jury duty through official mail—not calls, texts, or emails. ✅ Pro Tip: If someone threatens arrest over the phone, it’s a scam. Law enforcement never demands payment over the phone to clear a warrant.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions:
- Jury Duty Scam – A fraudulent scheme where scammers falsely claim someone has missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid arrest.
- Spoofing – A tactic used by scammers to make their phone numbers or emails appear as though they are from a legitimate source.
- Wire Transfer Fraud – A scam involving tricking victims into sending money via wire transfer, making it nearly impossible to recover.
- Financial Crimes Unit – A specialized law enforcement division focused on investigating fraud, identity theft, and monetary scams.
- Attorney General’s Office – A government agency responsible for legal matters, including investigating scams and protecting consumers from fraud.
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