Pretends to be the court
Fake jury duty call
Is a call saying I will be arrested for missing jury duty a scam?
Yes. Courts and U.S. Marshals do not call to demand fines by gift card, crypto or wire. Hang up and call the court using a number you look up.
Real organizations never do this. Stop. Hang up or delete it.
Also searched as: missed jury duty, jury summons call, court clerk call, sheriff jury duty
Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Phone call
- Text message
2 They pretend to be
- Police or government
3 They ask for
- Money
- Crypto
- Gift cards
- Wire or Zelle
- Personal details
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Pretends to be the court. What gives it away:
- Pay with gift cards
- Pay with crypto
- Send a wire or Zelle
What they may say
“they had two options: turn themselves in or pay a fine”
“you missed jury duty and you’ll be arrested unless you pay them now”
Warning signs
- They tell you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers. No real agency or company asks to be paid that way.
- They want payment in cryptocurrency, or tell you to use a Bitcoin machine. That money is very hard to get back.
- They push you to send a wire transfer or Zelle payment. That money is very hard to get back.
- They contacted you, then ask for your Social Security, Medicare or bank numbers.
- They say you must pay right now or something bad will happen. Real organizations give you time to check.
Why we say this
Ignore calls, texts, and emails threatening to arrest you for missing jury duty
A caller says they are a U.S. Marshal or police officer. They say you missed jury duty and will be arrested unless you pay a fine. Scammers may also text or email a fake arrest warrant to make it look real.
Most jury duty scams start with an “urgent” call from someone claiming to be a U.S. Marshal or an officer from your local police department.
4 more quotes from this source
They say you missed jury duty (you didn’t) and threaten to arrest you (they won’t) unless you pay a fine using a [payment app](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/mobile-payment-apps-how-avoid-scam-when-you-use-one) or [cryptocurrency](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams).
Real law enforcement will never text or email you an arrest warrant.
Courts never demand payment over the phone. In fact, no government agency will.
If you get a call like this, tell the FTC at [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/).
Georgia Inmates Found Guilty in Nationwide Jury Duty Call Scheme
Someone is pretending to be a Nicholasville police officer and using that officer's name to ask people for money. The caller claims the payment will clear up an absence from jury duty.
The victims were told they had one or more warrants for their arrest due to missing jury duty.
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The inmates impersonated both fictitious individuals and real law enforcement officers from the victims' local jurisdictions.
from a number that mirrored the numbers of their local police departments.
Scammers are using fake websites in a twist on jury duty scams
Callers pretending to be Normandy Park police phone residents and demand money because they supposedly missed jury duty. Police Chief Dan Yourkoski says the department and other police agencies do not make such calls, and the article does not say how much was demanded or whether anyone paid.
Real law enforcement officers won’t call to say you’ll be arrested
That call or email saying you missed jury duty and need to pay? It’s a scam
Eau Claire police report a rise in calls from people posing as law enforcement. The callers claim the person missed jury duty and try to get money.
They say you missed jury duty and you’ll be arrested unless you pay them now.
2 more quotes from this source
Courts never ask you to pay over the phone. In fact, no government agency will do that.
Courts never ask potential jurors for sensitive information over the phone, like your Social Security number or birthdate.
Did you get a call or email saying you missed jury duty and need to pay? It's a scam
A caller pretending to be an Elk Grove Village police officer tells residents they have jury duty warrants and must turn themselves in. Police say the caller's name does not match anyone in the department, and they advise hanging up and not sharing personal or financial information.
This scam usually starts with a phone call or an email from someone claiming to be from the police department or a court official.
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If you get a call or email like this, hang up or don't respond. Don't pay or give them any personal information.
To make the scam seem real, scammers also might give you a fake sheriff's badge number and case number.
Individuals Spoofing Law Enforcement Phone Numbers to Scam Victims
Local police in the Memphis area warn of phone calls where a caller spoofs a police number and claims a loved one was arrested and needs bail money. A second warning covers callers posing as law enforcement who say the person missed jury duty, has a warrant, or owes fines.
The scammers are using spoofed law enforcement phone numbers, along with the names, positions, and addresses of officers.
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Calls from local law enforcement stating the court is holding the individual in contempt for failure to appear for jury duty.
If you receive a voice-mail from local law enforcement demanding a call back, do not respond.
Jury Scam Picks Up in Harris County
Nicholasville police warned residents that someone is pretending to be one of their officers and asking for money to cover a supposed missed jury duty. Police say they will never ask for payment over criminal or legal matters.
Here’s how the scam works: Con men posing as police officers demand immediate payment for phony fines for missed jury service.
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No law enforcement official will ever call you by phone and demand money.
The con men typically demand that callers make payments with prepaid debit cards.
Fraudulent Calls Impersonating Whitesboro Police Department Reported
Local police in Whitesboro, New York, say several residents have received phone calls from people falsely claiming to be from their department. The callers tell victims they missed jury duty, threaten arrest, and ask for gift card payments.
The Village of Whitesboro Police Department reported that several people have received phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to represent the department.
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During these calls, individuals are advised that they have failed to appear for jury duty or respond to a jury duty summons. The callers may threaten that an active warrant exists for their arrest or that they could face legal consequences for failing to comply.
The department stated that these calls are fraudulent and said that it will never call anyone about missed jury duty, threaten arrest over the phone or demand payment through gift cards.
Officials urge residents not to share personal or financial information with these callers.
Anyone who receives such a call is encouraged to hang up immediately.
Troopers issue warning amid increase of cryptocurrency scams in Franklin County
Pennsylvania State Police warned Franklin County residents about callers who pose as a lieutenant with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, claim the person has a warrant for missing jury duty, and demand payment in cryptocurrency. Police say real law enforcement never demands payment by phone or text to clear a warrant.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and threatening an arrest unless they get paid in cryptocurrency, then hang up.
4 more quotes from this source
The scammers are claiming to be a lieutenant with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and say they have an active arrest warrant for failing to appear for jury duty, according to state police.
Law enforcement will never require someone to send payment over the phone.
"The Pennsylvania State Police reminds the public that law enforcement agencies and government officials will never demand payment over the telephone or through text messages to resolve an arrest warrant or avoid arrest," state police said Thursday in a statement.
It is a scam, and the Pennsylvania State Police are warning residents because they said they have received an increase in reports of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency scams within the last few weeks.
Pennsylvania State Police Warn Franklin County Residents of Jury Duty Scam Involving Bitcoin Payments
Pennsylvania State Police in Chambersburg warn of phone calls from people pretending to be Franklin County Sheriff's Office staff. The callers claim the person missed jury duty, threaten arrest, and demand immediate payment in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency.
According to investigators, the scam typically begins with a telephone call from someone claiming to be a lieutenant with the Sheriff's Office. The caller tells the intended victim that an active arrest warrant has been issued for failing to appear for jury duty.
5 more quotes from this source
The scammer then attempts to frighten the individual into making an immediate payment using Bitcoin or another form of cryptocurrency, claiming the payment is necessary to avoid being arrested.
Authorities advise anyone receiving such a call to hang up immediately and avoid calling the number back.
Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies and government officials will never demand payment over the telephone or through text messages to resolve an arrest warrant or prevent someone from being taken into custody.
Residents who want to verify whether a claim is legitimate should contact their local law enforcement agency directly using a verified telephone number obtained from an official website or another trusted source.
The Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg Station is reminding the public that a demand for cryptocurrency or gift card payments to avoid arrest is a clear warning sign of a scam.
State police warn of cryptocurrency scam targeting Franklin County residents
Pennsylvania State Police warn that callers are posing as Franklin County Sheriff's Office officers and claiming the person has a warrant for missing jury duty. The callers demand payment in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency to avoid arrest.
The callers falsely identify themselves as a lieutenant with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and claim the person receiving the call has an active arrest warrant for failing to appear for jury duty, police said.
3 more quotes from this source
They then instruct the person to make a payment using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency to avoid arrest.
Police advise anyone receiving such a call to hang up immediately and not call the number back. Anyone seeking to verify a caller’s claim should contact the local law enforcement agency directly using a verified telephone number from the agency’s official website or another trusted source.
Law enforcement agencies and government officials will never demand payment by telephone or text message to resolve an arrest warrant or avoid arrest, state police said. Officers also will not instruct anyone to make payments using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, prepaid gift cards or third-party payment applications.
Eau Claire police see spike in scam calls Tuesday
Eau Claire police report a rise in calls from people posing as law enforcement. The callers claim the person missed jury duty and try to get money.
In the case of these scam calls, residents report that a person claiming to be with law enforcement is calling and telling them they are missing jury duty.
2 more quotes from this source
Eau Claire police say they will never ask for payment over the phone, via gift cards, and/or wire transfer.
When in doubt, Eau Claire police encourage you to call your local law enforcement directly.
Nicholasville police warn public of officer impersonation scam
Someone is pretending to be a Nicholasville police officer and using that officer's name to ask people for money. The caller claims the payment will clear up an absence from jury duty.
The Nicholasville Police Department warned area residents Monday of a scam involving a person impersonating one of its officers.
2 more quotes from this source
According to the police department, an unknown person is using the officer’s name to request payment for an alleged absence from jury duty.
The department advised the public that it will never solicit payment regarding criminal or legal matters.
SCAM ALERT: Normandy Park Police Chief warns of jury duty scam calls demanding money
Callers pretending to be Normandy Park police phone residents and demand money because they supposedly missed jury duty. Police Chief Dan Yourkoski says the department and other police agencies do not make such calls, and the article does not say how much was demanded or whether anyone paid.
Yourkoski said the department was hearing reports of people receiving calls from someone claiming to represent Normandy Park Police.
2 more quotes from this source
“The Normandy Park Police Department (or any Police Department for that matter) will not call you demanding money because you missed Jury duty,” Yourkoski said in the warning.
The chief’s message did not specify how much money callers were seeking or whether anyone had paid them.
Owasso Police warn residents of ongoing phone scam
The Owasso Police Department warns of an ongoing phone scam in which callers say the person has an arrest warrant for missing jury duty. Police say the calls use spoofed numbers that look like law enforcement and demand payment to make the warrant go away.
The Owasso Police Department is warning residents of an ongoing phone scam in which callers claim people have warrants for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty.
5 more quotes from this source
OPD said the calls come from spoofed phone numbers that appear to belong to law enforcement agencies, including the Owasso Police Department.
The caller identifies himself as a police officer or deputy and demands payment to dismiss the warrant.
Anyone who receives one of these calls should hang up immediately and avoid providing personal or payment information, police said.
If you are a victim of this scam, you're asked to call 918-272-2244.
To avoid overwhelming its dispatch center, police ask residents not to call to report the scam unless they have made a payment.
Owasso Police warn residents of ongoing phone scam
Owasso police are alerting Oklahomans to calls from people posing as officers who say the listener has an arrest warrant for skipping jury duty. The caller wants money to make the warrant go away, and police advise hanging up right away.
The Owasso Police Department is warning residents of an ongoing phone scam in which callers claim people have warrants for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty.
4 more quotes from this source
OPD said the calls come from spoofed phone numbers that appear to belong to law enforcement agencies, including the Owasso Police Department.
The caller identifies himself as a police officer or deputy and demands payment to dismiss the warrant.
Anyone who receives one of these calls should hang up immediately and avoid providing personal or payment information, police said.
If you are a victim of this scam, you’re asked to call 918-272-2244.
SCAM ALERT: Normandy Park Police Chief warns of jury duty scam calls demanding money - The Normandy Park Blog
Local police in Normandy Park, Washington, warned residents about phone calls from people claiming to be police who demand money over supposedly missed jury duty. The police chief said that no police department will call someone demanding money for missing jury duty, so these calls are a scam.
**Callers claiming to be Normandy Park Police are demanding money over supposedly missed jury duty, prompting Police Chief Dan Yourkoski to warn residents that the calls are a scam.**
3 more quotes from this source
Yourkoski said the department was hearing reports of people receiving calls from someone claiming to represent Normandy Park Police.
“The Normandy Park Police Department (or any Police Department for that matter) will not call you demanding money because you missed Jury duty,” Yourkoski said in the warning.
The chief’s message did not specify how much money callers were seeking or whether anyone had paid them.
Phone Scam Warning Issued By Law Enforcement - WHKY
The Troutman Police Department warns of a phone scam in which callers say the victim missed jury duty or has an outstanding warrant. The callers demand immediate payment to avoid arrest, and police say real law enforcement will never ask for money over the phone to prevent an arrest.
Police say the callers demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. Scammers may even use the names of real law enforcement officers or spoof caller ID to make the calls appear legitimate.
3 more quotes from this source
Authorities stress that law enforcement will not demand money over the phone to prevent an arrest. Residents are urged not to send money, purchase gift cards, use cryptocurrency ATMs, or provide personal or banking information.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call should hang up and verify the information directly with the court or law enforcement agency using an independently verified phone number.
Anyone who has already paid should contact their bank or payment provider immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement.
Flushing Township police warn residents about jury duty scam
Flushing Township police in Michigan are warning that callers claim the person missed jury duty and face an arrest warrant unless they pay. In the reported case, the scammers pushed the victim to pay a fine through a Bitcoin kiosk.
In a recent incident, police say scammers contacted a resident claiming they had missed jury duty and that a warrant had been issued for their arrest. The scammers told the resident they had two options: turn themselves in or pay a fine.
4 more quotes from this source
Police say the resident was given instructions to visit a kiosk and transfer money using Bitcoin. The scammers also sent photographs with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the payment.
Police say law enforcement agencies and courts will never call demanding payment or require payment through Bitcoin or cryptocurrency kiosks to resolve a warrant.
Scammers may also use real names of police officers or disguise their phone numbers to make the calls look like they are legitimate.
If you receive a call like this, police say to hang up immediately and not follow instructions or send any money.
Police officer helps prevent resident from losing $40,000 in jury duty scam in Sussex County
An Andover Township officer on a traffic detail stopped a caller who was on the phone with a fake court representative. The caller had threatened the person with a warrant over missed jury duty while they carried about $40,000 in cash.
The caller falsely claimed the individual had an active warrant for failing to appear for jury duty and was pressuring the person, who had approximately $40,000 in cash in their possession.
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When the officer took the phone to speak with the caller, the person on the other end immediately hung up, police said.
According to police, scammers frequently use fear, urgency and threats of arrest to pressure victims into withdrawing or handing over money.
Police also used the incident to warn residents about scammers who impersonate court officials and threaten arrest over missed jury duty to demand immediate payments.
Residents are urged not to provide cash or make payments in response to threatening phone calls. Anyone receiving a call claiming they have an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty should hang up and independently contact the court using an official telephone number to verify the information.
Fake 'Deputy' Claims Residents Have Jury Duty Warrants: Police
A caller pretending to be an Elk Grove Village police officer tells residents they have jury duty warrants and must turn themselves in. Police say the caller's name does not match anyone in the department, and they advise hanging up and not sharing personal or financial information.
Residents reported receiving calls from someone identifying himself as "Deputy Greg Williams." Police said the department does not employ an officer by that name and does not make those types of calls.
4 more quotes from this source
In another reported incident, the impersonator left a voicemail requesting a return call while claiming to represent the department.
Anyone receiving a similar call should hang up. Residents with concerns about a call's legitimacy can contact the Elk Grove Village Police Department directly at 847-357-4100.
Be suspicious of callers who create a sense of urgency or demand immediate action.
Never provide personal, financial or sensitive information to unsolicited callers, even if they claim to represent law enforcement or another government agency.
Sumter police warns public against jury duty, cryptocurrency scams
The Sumter Police Department is warning residents about a scam that threatens arrest over missed federal jury duty and demands payment in cryptocurrency. Scammers sometimes back the threat with an AI-generated flier that copies a real-looking warrant and includes the police department's non-emergency number.
There has been a recent increase in this particular scam.
5 more quotes from this source
To make the threat appear real, the scammers, in some instances, are using an AI-generated flier that features a replica of an actual warrant, the police department's non-emergency number and an illustration of an officer as part of their ploy, the department said.
"Please remember that scams often use scare tactics, such as potential arrest, to force their victims to act before realizing this could be an attempt at fraud,"
"No local, state or federal law enforcement agency operates in this manner."
Cryptocurrency ATM transactions can be difficult or impossible to reverse.
You can contact the court or law enforcement agency using a phone number you find from an official source - not one provided by the caller.