BEWARE NY Jury Duty Scam: How to Spot It and Protect Yourself

Be prepared because there is another way scammers are trying to get your personal information. This time with the threat of jury duty. Here's what to be on the lookout for.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection is warning people about a phone scam happening nationwide. Scammers are pretending to be police officers or court officials. They claim you missed jury duty and now have to pay a fine immediately to avoid being arrested.

If you say you never received a jury notice, they insist it’s still your responsibility to show up. Then they pressure you to pay a fine by credit card, right then and there. Some victims have lost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Scammers may also demand personal details like your Social Security number or date of birth. That information can later be used for identity theft or other types of fraud.

Read More: Scammers Targeting New York State Seniors

This scam works because it catches people off guard. The idea of being arrested makes it hard to think clearly. Seniors and immigrants, who might not be familiar with how the court system works, are especially targeted and may be less likely to report it.

It’s important to remember that no real court or law enforcement official will ever call and demand payment over the phone. It is also illegal for anyone to pretend to be a federal official.

If you get a call like this, hang up immediately. Do not share any personal or financial information.

A few tips:
– Jury duty notices come by mail, not phone.
– Courts won’t ask for your Social Security or credit card number over the phone.
– Only give out personal info if you initiated the call.