Hang Up on the Jury Duty Hoax

By Greg Collier

That tense moment when your phone lights up with a “law enforcement” caller ID—and they say you’ve missed jury duty. Your heart drops, they mention a warrant, and you’re suddenly calculating bail money. But it’s all a lie. The jury duty scam is spreading across the country, and most recently it’s hit Nueces County, Texas.

What’s Going On:

Scammers are targeting residents nationwide with fake phone calls claiming they missed jury duty, owe fines, or face arrest. Nueces County is just the latest hotspot in this long-running con.

According to the local Sheriff’s Office, about a dozen residents recently reported receiving these calls. The scammers sound convincing—they even use real deputy names lifted from public Facebook pages. Sheriff J.C. Hooper made it clear:

“We’re not going to call you. We’re going to come and visit you at your home or place of employment if there is a warrant out for you.”

In other words, real law enforcement doesn’t handle warrants over the phone—and they definitely don’t ask for payments.

Why It’s Effective:

This scam weaponizes fear and urgency. The caller insists the matter must be handled today, threatening bigger trouble tomorrow. They’ll even text or email forged credentials—fake badges, stolen photos, and edited names—to “prove” their authority.

The Better Business Bureau says this isn’t just a Texas problem. It’s a nationwide trend that resurfaces every few months with local twists designed to fool residents who think it couldn’t happen in their area.

Red Flags:

  • Immediate payment requests. No government agency takes fines over the phone.
  • Threats of arrest or warrants. Fear is their pressure tool, not a real policy.
  • Borrowed deputy names. Scammers scrape them from social media and websites.
  • Fake “proof.” Any emailed or texted badge is fraudulent—and worthless.

How to Stay Safe:

If someone calls claiming you missed jury duty, hang up immediately. Then contact your sheriff’s office or courthouse using the number on their official website—not the one that called you. Never send money, never meet in person, and never share personal information.

Remember: real jury duty notifications come through official mail, not phone calls, texts, or emails.

Final Thoughts:

This con works because it feels personal—and scary. But knowledge breaks the spell. Take a breath, verify before reacting, and talk to your parents or grandparents about it. A calm, skeptical mind is your best protection.

Have you received one of these fake jury duty calls? Share your story below or send this post to someone who might be at risk. Awareness travels faster than scams—if we spread it.

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