New Wave of Jury Duty Scams Costing Citizens Thousands

Missing a jury summons is a serious matter, but criminals are now using that fear to drain bank accounts. Across the country, scammers are impersonating law enforcement to trick people into paying fake fines under the threat of immediate arrest.

A Costly Trap in Arizona

One victim, Kristine, lost over $30,000 after receiving a call from a fake officer claiming she missed jury duty. "It sounds so realistic," Kristine said. The scammers told her she had to pay citations for "failure to appear" and "contempt of court" to avoid jail.

After paying an initial $16,000, they demanded more for a "bond." Kristine was directed to four different banks while the criminals tracked her location via her phone. "They followed my car. They tracked all the mileage. I had to keep telling them where I was," she recalled. Now, she urges others to be cautious: "Just follow your gut. Because if I would have done that, it would’ve ended way sooner."

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Law Enforcement Targeted

In Oregon, Deputy David Huey recorded a scammer who unknowingly called him with the same script. "I was a little suspicious... with my background in law enforcement," Huey said. The caller even gave Huey the address of the very office where he works. When Huey finally asked how many people fall for the trick, the scammer admitted, "Quite a bit more than you would think so."

How to Stay Safe

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reminds the public that courts will never demand payment over the phone or ask for social security numbers on unofficial websites. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact your local courthouse directly.