Urgent Warning: New Jury Duty Phone Scam Threatens Arrest and Demands Money

A disturbing new wave of phone scams is sweeping across the nation, preying on unsuspecting citizens by impersonating local officials and making frightening threats of immediate arrest. This sophisticated fraud, targeting individuals with the terrifying claim of missed jury duty, is designed to instill panic and coerce victims into handing over money.

Authorities, including sheriff's offices and court administrators nationwide, are issuing urgent warnings about these deceptive calls.

Scammers are adeptly mimicking official tones and often spoofing local numbers, making their calls appear legitimate. The core of the scam involves a caller, claiming to be from the local sheriff's department or court, informing the victim that they have failed to appear for jury duty or have missed a summons.

The fraudsters then escalate the threat, stating that a warrant has been issued for the victim's arrest.

To avoid immediate incarceration, the victim is told they must pay a hefty fine. This payment is typically demanded through untraceable methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, or popular digital payment apps like Zelle and Venmo. The urgency created by the threat of arrest is a key psychological tactic, preventing victims from thinking clearly or verifying the claims.

It's crucial to understand a fundamental truth: courts and law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone to resolve a warrant or avoid arrest for missing jury duty.

Nor will they ever request personal financial information or ask for payment via gift cards or digital payment services for such matters. Legitimate court communications regarding jury duty typically arrive via official mail, and any genuine issues would involve in-person appearances or formal court procedures, not impromptu phone demands for money.

If you receive such a call, the advice from law enforcement is unequivocal: do not engage.

Hang up immediately. Do not provide any personal information, financial details, or confirm any data about yourself. These scammers are skilled at extracting information that can be used for further identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

After ending the call, it is vital to report the incident.

Contact your local law enforcement agency's non-emergency line or the court clerk's office directly to report the scam. You can also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Spreading awareness about this scam is also critical. Inform your friends, family, and colleagues, especially the elderly, who are often disproportionately targeted by these insidious schemes.

Stay vigilant and remember: if a call involving legal matters feels urgent, threatening, or demands immediate payment, it's almost certainly a scam.

Protect yourself and your community by staying informed and skeptical of unsolicited calls demanding money or personal information.