Federal courts: Beware of juror scams

Residents in Georgia, Indiana, Kansas and Maryland have been the targets of jury scams. 

The callers tell residents to provide personal information following online links to jury duty questionnaires and threaten federal fines and jail time if they don’t comply, according to the a new release from the federal courts office on Friday.  

One caller in Maryland reportedly threatens to arrest the person unless they purchase a debit card and pay $500. In Kansas and Georgia, residents received emails that use the name of the Judiciary’s e-Juror program to convince targeted people the scam is real.

{mosads}How to tell if the call is a scam? 

– If the caller request payment of a fine for failure to appear for jury duty. Fines for failing to appear for jury duty are imposed by a judge and the offender will be summoned to court. 

– If the initial contact for jury duty is by phone or email. Prospective jurors receive notices by mail that may direct them to an online questionnaire. 

– If the questionnaire asks for your Social Security number. 

Citizens who receive a juror call requesting money or personal information or threats of fines or jail time are asked to notify their local federal court clerk.