Jury Duty Scam Alert

The County Jury Commissioner’s office reports that some scams are persistent, and a particularly deceptive one is making a comeback, “exploiting people's fears.” A local resident recently reported being contacted by a scammer who claimed to be from a local law enforcement agency. The caller falsely stated that the resident had missed jury duty, a warrant was issued for their arrest, and that paying a fine in Bitcoin could prevent an arrest.

This is just one variation of long-running jury duty scams. Scammers may not always demand payment directly. In some cases, they try to trick the potential victim into providing personal information that could be used for identity theft. In other instances, that person might receive an email that appears to include a "jury summons," but contains malware instead of an official document—downloading the attachment would infect the individual’s computer.

What can be done for protection? The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers these tips:

1. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails. Always question any unexpected communication.
2. Verify with the Court. If there is uncertainty about jury duty status, contact the Jury Commissioner's office at (928) 753-0713 for local service in either Superior or Limited Jurisdiction Courts.
3. Ignore high-pressure demands for immediate action. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to trick individuals into acting impulsively.
4. Avoid paying via wire transfer, prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, or cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin, iTunes, or similar cards)—these payment methods are almost always associated with fraud.
5. Ask for a second opinion. If anyone feels uncertain, it’s important to talk to a family member or friend and ask, "Does this sound legitimate?"

Vigilance is the key.