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Scammers use the consequences of missing jury duty, by calling or emailing victims and lying about missing their summons.
These consequences, ranging from facing fines, going to court, or even imprisonment, are used by fraudsters to trick victims into providing money or sensitive information, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The federal agency said the scam usually starts with a phone call or email from a scammer claiming to be the police department or a court official. Often, the scammer will say that the victim missed his judge’s duty, even though he never received a notice, and that there is a warrant out for his arrest.
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The scammer will then threaten the victim that the only way to get a warrant is to pay the fine. If the victim refuses, the scammer may threaten jail time, the FTC said. However, the scammer may also ask for personal information such as a Social Security number or date of birth to steal your identity.
The FTC also said the scammer may provide a fake sheriff’s badge number and case number to give the program some credibility.
A judge sits on a desk at the newly opened Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum on February 3, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photos by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Another example of how “fraudsters prey on our anxiety about missing out or facing consequences, using tactics to pressure us into giving up personal information or money,” business strategist Marva Bailer told FOX Business.
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It’s the same with unpaid toll scams or Post Service Package address issues and payment scams that have been circulating. All of them evoke the fear of missing a deadline or important notice, according to Bailer.
A view inside the courthouse on January 30, 2005 in Santa Maria, California. (Spencer Weiner-Pool/Getty Images/Getty)
He said the average American might be called to serve as a judge five times in a 20-year period. “It’s common enough to get used to it, but not often enough to know the process well,” Bailer said, emphasizing how easy it is to become a victim.
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Bailer and the FTC said real court officials would never ask for sensitive information over the phone or by email. “They’re not going to want payment right away,” Bailer added.
A view from behind the witness stand towards the court gallery on January 30, 2005 in Santa Maria, California. (Spencer Weiner-Pool/Getty Images/Getty)
If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and call the court directly.
Here’s how to tell if it’s a scam:
- Courts will not request immediate payment over the phone. No government agency will ask for that.
- Courts will not ask for sensitive personal information over the phone, such as a Social Security number or date of birth.
- Scammers are the only ones who will insist that you can only pay with gift cards, a payment app, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer service like Western Union. It is very difficult to get your money back through all the methods mentioned above.