Dallas, TX — A sophisticated scam targeting U.S. residents by falsely claiming they have missed jury duty is escalating, according to legal officials. Victims report being ordered to pay fines to avoid arrest, raising concerns across the nation as more individuals fall prey to these fraudulent tactics.
Judge Dominique Collins of the Dallas County Criminal District Court 4 has highlighted an urgent need for public awareness about these cons. Typically, the scammer telephones, posing as a law enforcement officer, and coercively demands payment to nullify an alleged arrest warrant due to missed jury service.
Such scams involve requests for immediate payment through cash cards or personal meet-ups at unofficial locations. One recent case involved a relative of an NBC 5 staff member who received a voicemail instructing them to report to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, thus underscoring the deceptive sophistication of this scheme.
Despite these alarming demands, Judge Collins assures that “Dallas County jury services will never ask for money over the phone.” To manipulate victims, scammers often use spoofing technology that mimics official numbers, pushing the false narrative with threatening language and urgency.
The situation is equally concerning in Florida where there has been a noticeable increase in similar incidents. Chief Judge Corrigan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida stated, “The resurgence of these jury scams where callers demand payment or threaten arrest for missing jury duty is troubling. These calls are deceptive and not in any way connected to lawful judicial practices.”
Victims of this scam often include senior citizens who are presumed to be more trusting of official-sounding phone calls. The scammers exploit the vulnerability of these individuals, many of whom are on fixed incomes, making the financial impact particularly distressing.
The fraud typically goes like this: a call or email is made under the guise of a court officer claiming that the receiver has missed their civic duty of attending jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid being arrested. The caller might also ask victims to purchase a prepaid card such as a Green Dot card and provide the card number over the phone.
Law enforcement and judicial officials are investigating how the scammers obtain personal phone numbers and other information, suspecting leaks or misuse of publicly accessible databases. Judge Collins noted, “It’s crucial to verify any such communication directly with the court using official channels.”
Authorities urge those contacted by supposed court officials seeking payments to not disclose any personal information and hang up immediately. Individuals concerned about their jury duty status are advised to directly contact their local court.
Importantly, official summons for jury duty are always sent via U.S. Mail. If any fines are legitimately imposed for missing jury duty, they are issued in court and documented in writing—never demanded over the phone or payable by non-traceable methods like gift cards.
To tackle these scams, the public should report any suspicious calls or messages to the District Court Clerk’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, or the Federal Trade Commission. By staying informed and cautious, potential victims can help prevent these fraudulent activities and protect their personal and financial well-being.