Missed Jury Duty Phone Scam Targets Multiple Counties

Law enforcement across multiple U.S. counties are warning of a widespread "missed jury duty" phone scam in which callers spoof local numbers and impersonate judges, deputies or court staff to falsely claim a pending warrant and demand immediate payment. Scammers use real names, caller ID spoofing, fake documents and high‑pressure threats of arrest or SWAT deployment, then insist on payment via Cash App, gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin kiosks/ATMs, and often target older adults. Recent losses include two Norfolk County victims who paid $5,250 and $1,450 via Bitcoin kiosks (about $6,700 total), and Berkeley County residents who sent money through Cash App or brought cash to sheriff’s offices after being deceived. Courts and sheriff’s offices emphasize they do not call to demand payment or announce warrants and that official jury summonses and failure‑to‑appear notices are mailed. Officials advise hanging up, verifying jury status by calling your court or sheriff’s office using an official number, reporting suspicious calls to local law enforcement, state attorneys general or the FTC, and watching for red flags such as late-night calls, urgent payment demands or odd document errors.