Jury Duty Scam Gets a Tech Upgrade

By Greg Collier

The jury duty scam has been a persistent threat for years, often beginning with a phone call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. The caller accuses the recipient of failing to report for jury duty and threatens immediate arrest unless a fine is paid. These calls can be very convincing, with scammers using spoofed caller IDs to make it appear as if the call is coming from a local police department. Victims are often pressured into making quick payments using gift cards, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps. The urgency and fear created by the call are intended to override a person’s judgment, making them more likely to comply.

A new variation of this scam is now emerging, according to a warning from the Federal Trade Commission. Instead of instructing targets to make a payment directly over the phone, scammers are directing them to visit a fraudulent website. This site is designed to mimic an official government page, complete with realistic-looking seals and professional design elements. The individual is asked to enter sensitive personal information, including their date of birth and Social Security number, under the pretense of verifying their identity or calculating a fine. In some cases, the site demands payment through non-traditional methods such as cryptocurrency or through so-called government kiosks, which do not actually exist.

This approach allows scammers to collect personal data as well as money, potentially leading to both financial loss and identity theft. The presence of a convincing website may give the impression of legitimacy, especially to individuals who are unfamiliar with how official government sites operate.

Once this personal information is collected, the consequences can extend far beyond the initial scam. Scammers may use the data to open fraudulent credit accounts, file false tax returns, or even commit medical identity theft. Victims often do not realize their identity has been compromised until they receive collection notices, are denied credit, or encounter issues with government agencies. The damage can take years to fully resolve.

Anyone who receives such a call should avoid engaging with the caller or visiting the provided website. If there is any concern about jury duty status, the appropriate course of action is to contact the local court directly using a verified phone number or official website.


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