Is this missed jury duty call a scam?
A caller claiming you must pay immediately to avoid arrest for missed jury duty is impersonating law enforcement or the courts.
“This is the sheriff's office. You missed jury duty and must pay the fine now or a deputy will arrest you.”
Why this is suspicious
Scammers may know your address, use a real official's name, or spoof the sheriff's phone number. Courts do not resolve missed jury duty through gift cards or urgent phone payments.
Warning signs
- The caller threatens immediate arrest
- They require payment during the call
- They request gift cards, a payment app, or a crypto ATM
- They tell you not to contact the courthouse
What to do next
- Hang up
- Call the courthouse using its official website
- Do not travel to a payment kiosk or send money
- Report the impersonation to local law enforcement
If you already clicked or paid
For guidance on what to do after a possible scam, visit the FTC’s recovery guide. It covers different situations, including payments and personal information.
Official source: U.S. Courts jury-duty scam guidance
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