Missed Jury Duty or Warrant Phone Call Scams
What It Is
Phone calls that claim you missed jury duty or have a warrant out for you.
The goal is to scare you into paying money or sharing personal information right away.
How It Usually Plays Out
You get a call from someone claiming to be police, a court worker, or a government office.
They say you missed jury duty, ignored a court notice, or now have a warrant.
They use fear and urgency, and may tell you not to hang up.
They demand payment to “clear it up,” or they ask for personal details to “verify you.”
If you comply, they may keep calling with new threats and new fees.
Red Flags
Threats of arrest right now or “officers on the way”
Pressure to stay on the phone and not verify
Refusing to let you hang up and call back
Demanding payment by gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto
Asking for your Social Security number or other private details
Telling you to go somewhere to pay immediately
Using fear instead of clear, checkable information
Caller ID looks official, but the behavior is not
Why People Fall For It
Most people want to avoid legal trouble, and the fear response is strong. Scammers know many people don’t know how jury duty notices really work, so the story can feel believable.
What To Do Next
Stop. Take a breath. Do not pay or share information.
Hang up. Do not stay on the line with a threat.
If you’re worried, contact your local court or jury office using a number you look up yourself.
If they claimed to be police, call your local non-emergency number from an official source.
Tell a trusted person what happened, especially if you feel shaken.
Save details like the number, time, and what was said in case you report it.
If you sent money, call your bank or card company as soon as you can.
Takeaway
Courts and police do not demand instant payment over the phone. Slow down, hang up, and verify through official numbers you find yourself.
Not financial advice. Educational purposes only.
