Jury Duty Scam Calls are back in Washington County

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has been made aware that residents are being targeted with a popular phone scam with false jury duty claims. If you receive a threatening call about missed jury duty, it's a scam, and here's what you need to know.

How the Scam Works

Scammers are calling Washington County residents impersonating members of the Sheriff's Office claiming that:

• You missed jury duty or failed to appear in court
• You're facing arrest or legal consequences for non-compliance
• You owe fines for non-attendance
• You need to provide personal information or payment to resolve the issue
• You need to act immediately or face jail time

These calls are fraudulent. Real courts do not conduct official business via threatening phone calls.

Warning Signs

Watch out for these red flags:

• Unsolicited calls about jury duty, especially threatening ones
• Demands for immediate action or payment
• Requests for personal information like Social Security numbers, bank details, or credit card information
• Aggressive or threatening language about arrest
• Pressure to keep the matter quiet or refrain from verifying the claim
• Payment demands via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
• Caller ID spoofing showing a court or government number

How to Protect Yourself

Don't engage with the caller:

• Do not provide any personal or financial information
• Do not confirm your identity or Social Security number
• Do not agree to any payment arrangements
• Do not feel pressured by threats of arrest

Verify any jury duty notice:

• Legitimate jury summonses arrive by mail, not phone
• Contact the Commissioner of Jurors directly using a number from their official website or phone book (not the number the caller provided)
• Ask to verify your case

What You Should Know

Neither Law Enforcement nor the judicial system will never:

• Call you unexpectedly about jury duty
• Demand immediate payment over the phone
• Threaten arrest for missing jury duty without prior notice
• Ask you to verify information over an unsecured phone line
• Require you to pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or wire services

If You've Been Targeted

If you received one of these calls:

1. Do not send any money
2. Do not provide personal information
3. Hang up and report it if you did give your personal
4. Contact your bank if you shared financial information
5. Monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity
6. Consider a credit freeze if your Social Security number was compromised

Stay Vigilant

Scammers count on fear and urgency to cloud judgment. If you're unsure about any official communication, you can always hang up and call the issuing organization directly using a number you find independently. When in doubt, contact law enforcement.

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