BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Jury duty scam occurring ‘nationwide,’ feds warn

  • The Middle District of Florida observed a surge in reports
  • Fraudsters pose as officials threatening arrests
  • Citizens advised to report such scams to the FTC

Adobe Stock

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

(NewsNation) — In a growing nationwide scam, fraudsters are posing as U.S. marshals and government officials, intimidating victims with threats of arrest for alleged failure to appear for jury duty, the U.S. District Court warned.

“Jury service is one of the most important public services a citizen can perform, and it is a serious matter when scammers attempt to use a citizen’s sense of civic duty to defraud them,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg.

The Middle District of Florida observed a surge in reports from victims falling prey to these scams.

Callers in these scams provide convincing details, including the victim’s personal information, real names of federal judges, authentic court addresses and even spoofed phone numbers that falsely appear to be from official government agencies.

The scammers demand immediate payment of a fine to avoid arrest and guide victims through purchasing prepaid debit or gift cards or making electronic payments.

Chief Judge Timothy Corrigan stated, “Let me be clear: these calls are fraudulent. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a judge or court official, do not provide them with your financial information.”

Residents who believe they have been targeted are encouraged to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and their local FBI Field Office. The court provides key preventive facts, including:

  • The court communicates jury summons exclusively via U.S. Mail.
  • No legitimate court will request credit/debit card numbers or demand payment over the phone.
  • A prospective juror disregarding a summons will be contacted in writing by the District Court Clerk’s Office.
  • Fines are never imposed until after an individual appears in court and has the opportunity to explain their absence.

To verify a call’s authenticity, citizens are advised to contact the clerk’s office of the U.S. District Court directly. Additional information is available on the court’s website.

Crime

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

65°F Sunny Feels like 65°
Wind
8 mph SW
Humidity
57%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 52F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
52°F Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 52F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Wind
9 mph WSW
Precip
15%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous