Jury Duty Warrant Call: The Scam Explained
Someone calling from the “sheriff's office” or “court” says you missed jury duty, a warrant is out for your arrest, and you can settle it today by paying a fine over the phone.
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How the jury duty scam works
They use real court terms, local names, and spoofed caller ID to sound official, then direct you to pay by gift card, prepaid debit card, or a payment app — sometimes even to stay on the line while you drive to the store. Real courts send notices by mail and never collect fines by phone.
Red flags to watch for
- Threat of arrest today unless you pay immediately
- Payment by gift card, prepaid card, Zelle, or crypto
- They insist you stay on the phone while you pay
- Caller ID shows the sheriff or court — caller ID is easily faked
What it looks like
“This is Deputy Morgan. You failed to appear for jury duty. To cancel the warrant, you must post a $900 bond today by prepaid card.”
What to do
- Hang up — courts handle missed jury duty by mail, never by phone payment.
- If worried, look up your county clerk's number yourself and call.
- Never buy gift cards or prepaid cards for any government fine.
- Report it to the FTC at 1-877-382-4357.
Is it a jury duty scam? Check it free.
Paste the call, text, email, or letter and get a plain-English answer in seconds.