Jury Duty Scam: Missed Your Call? Scammers Say Pay Now or Face Arrest—Gift Cards Welcome!
Scammers are contacting people via phone or email, claiming they missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid arrest. This is a common scam that uses fear and urgency to trick people into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid cards.
What is the scam?
The scam involves receiving a call, email, or text message claiming you missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest.
How does it work?
The scammer poses as a government official, often threatening legal action or arrest if the "fine" isn’t paid immediately. They direct victims to make payments using gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid cards, which are difficult to trace once sent.
How to avoid it?
- Do not send money in response to unsolicited requests.
- Verify any legal claims by directly contacting the courthouse using official contact information.
- Government agencies will never request payment via gift cards or threaten arrest over the phone.
What to do if you fell for it?
- Stop all communication with the scammer.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your financial institution.
- Monitor and protect your accounts, and consider freezing your credit if necessary.
Sample message:
- Caller: “You’ve missed your jury duty and need to pay $500 immediately via gift card to avoid being arrested. Failure to pay will result in a warrant for your arrest.”
More Questions?
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