Beware of This Jury Duty Scam Targeting Several Counties Throughout the US

Several locations around the United States have reported an uptick in scams against targeting citizens who could be selected for jury duty.

The scammers pose as court officials or police officers, claiming potential jurors have failed to report and threatening them with fines or arrest unless immediate payment is made.

How the Scam Works

According to the United States Courts, these scams typically start with phone calls, emails or messages that claim to be from court officials.

The scammers pressure potential victims to provide sensitive personal information or pay fines under threat of legal consequences.

The scammers often demand payment via methods like prepaid gift cards or wire transfers, making the transactions difficult to trace.

The federal judiciary says that legitimate court officials will never solicit sensitive information or payment over the phone or email.

Instead, communication about jury duty is primarily conducted through official mail​.

Local Incidents

Officials in at least two counties have recently reported incidents with the scammers.

In Elkhart County, Indiana, local authorities reported an uptick in scam calls targeting residents.

Similarly, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, residents have received messages and calls from scammers pretending to be local police officers. The callers claimed to be from the Hopkinsville Police Department and warned of warrants for missed jury duty, demanding immediate payment of fines.

The Hopkinsville police noted that they do not call residents about missed jury duty and they encourage anyone receiving such calls to report them​.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Courts asking for additional comment on Friday, Jan. 17, as well as other locations that may have reported similar scams.

Protecting Yourself Against Scams

Authorities offer several tips against these scams in particular.

• Verify Caller Claims: If contacted, independently verify the caller’s information by reaching out to the court or police department using official contact details.
• Avoid Immediate Payment: Never pay fines or fees over the phone. Courts do not request payments through prepaid cards or wire transfers.
• Be Cautious with Personal Information: Do not provide sensitive data like Social Security numbers or bank details to unsolicited callers.

Why It Matters

Jury duty scams could undermine public trust in legal institutions, in addition to financial loss and identity theft.

Awareness is the first line of defense against these schemes, since scammers rely on fear and urgency to exploit their targets.

As noted on the U.S. Courts website: “It is a crime for anyone to falsely represent themself as a federal court official. The federal Judiciary takes such offenses seriously.”

Citizens are encouraged to stay informed and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the Clerk of Court’s office​​​.