Fake Jury Duty Scams: Don't Fall for the Threats

Scammers are pretending to be law enforcement and using fear to trick people into giving away money or personal information. One of the latest schemes is the fake jury duty scam, and it has caught many people off guard.

It usually starts with a phone call that appears to come from your local police department. The caller says you missed jury duty and will be arrested unless you act immediately. Instead of taking payment over the phone, they direct you to a fake website that looks official, complete with government logos and seals. On the site, you may be asked for personal details such as your date of birth or Social Security number, and sometimes for payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.

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What to Look Out For

1. Calls claiming to be from authorities: Real law enforcement officials will not call out of the blue and demand payment for missing jury duty.
2. Websites that only look official: Scammers create sites with government-style logos and seals to appear legitimate, but they are designed to steal your information or money.
3. Scare tactics and threats: Claims that you’ll be arrested unless you act immediately are a red flag. Legitimate agencies don’t operate this way.
4. Unusual payment requests: Requests for cryptocurrency, gift cards, or other unconventional payment methods are a sure sign it’s a scam.

How to Protect Yourself

• Hang up on suspicious calls: If someone threatens arrest or claims you missed jury duty, end the call immediately.
• Verify official contact information before taking action: Don’t trust the phone number or website a caller provides. Look up your local court or police department’s official contact information and call directly to confirm.
• Stay calm and don’t give in to pressure: Scammers often try to frighten you. Legitimate agencies will never demand urgent payment or unusual forms of money.
• Report suspicious activity: Notify the FTC about scam calls or websites at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

These scams are designed to scare you into sharing personal information or sending money. Remember, you cannot be arrested over the phone for missing jury duty, and no legitimate agency will demand payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. Take a moment to verify facts and reach out if you’re unsure - it’s the best way to protect yourself.

If you think you may have inadvertently shared your personal information with a scammer, please contact us as soon as possible at (805) 733-7600.