Jury duty / arrest warrant scam: how it works, warning signs and what to do
Social engineering · alto
The victim gets a call, email or text from someone claiming to be a U.S. Marshal, sheriff's officer or court official. The story: you missed jury duty, there is a warrant for your arrest, and arrest can only be avoided by paying a "fine" right away. Scammers use real judges' and officials' names, courthouse addresses and spoofed caller ID.
Payment is demanded in gift cards, wire transfers, crypto or bitcoin kiosk deposits. In another variant they ask for your Social Security number and date of birth "to check records". US federal courts state they do not call or email prospective jurors to ask for money or personal information, and that real arrest warrants are always served in person.
Sinais / Signs
- A call saying you missed jury duty and will be arrested
- A demand to pay a "fine" to avoid arrest
- Payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto kiosk
- A request for your Social Security number and date of birth
- Pressure to stay on the line while you gather the money
Prevenção / Prevention
- Know that jury summonses and missed-service notices come by mail
- Don't trust caller ID: numbers can be spoofed
- Hang up and call the court clerk yourself using the official number
- Never pay a "fine" over the phone to avoid arrest
- Don't give personal data to someone who called you
O que fazer / What to do
- If you paid, immediately contact your bank or the gift card company
- If you gave your SSN, report at IdentityTheft.gov and monitor your credit
- Notify the Clerk of Court for your local US District Court
- Report it to the FTC, the FBI (IC3.gov) and local police
FAQ
Can I be arrested over the phone for missing jury duty?
No. According to the Justice Department, real arrest warrants are always served in person and no money is demanded in lieu of arrest.
Can the court ever call me?
Court staff may contact you by phone or email, but federal courts say such contact never includes requests for sensitive information or money.
Radar
- — Brazil's Federal Police arrest four in Operation Spoofing over hacking of officials' Telegram accounts · ~1.000 números de telefone visados. The group hacked the phone of then-Justice Minister Sergio Moro; police estimated about 1,000 phone numbers were targeted. Source: Poder360
U.S. Courts - Juror Scams · U.S. Attorney's Office (M.D. Ala.) - Jury duty scam warning · AARP - Jury Duty Scams