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Scammers Target Georgia Citizens with False Jury Alerts
ATLANTA – A chilling trend has emerged in Georgia, with scammers targeting citizens with false claims of missed jury duty. The U.S. District Court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia are sounding the alarm, warning citizens to be vigilant and suspicious of such calls.
Citizens continue to receive fraudulent phone calls from scammers falsely claiming to be with the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Marshals Service, or other government agencies. The scammers claim that the victim failed to appear for jury duty in federal court and threaten the victims with arrest unless they purchase a pre-paid credit card and provide the card number.
“These schemes are often carried out by state prisoners using contraband cellphones,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “While our office has prosecuted dozens of these cases, citizens should be vigilant and suspicious of anyone who claims to be from a federal agency and demands payment for failing to appear for a jury summons. In short, a representative from a federal agency or federal court will never call demanding money.”
According to reports, over the last two years, local citizens have given scammers anywhere from $400 to $13,000 out of fear that an arrest warrant had been issued due to their failure to appear for jury duty. Many of the victims took money out of their savings or retirement to pay the scammers.
Victims commonly report that the scammers sound convincing and speak authoritatively. The scammers may use real information about the victim and court addresses. They may also use the real names of law enforcement officers, court officials, and federal judges to make the scam appear more credible. In one reported instance, a scammer learned that a potential victim was getting married and threatened to cancel her wedding if she did not pay.
Citizens can protect themselves by knowing these facts about federal jury service:
- The court will always send a jury summons by U.S. Mail.
- The court and law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone.
- The court and law enforcement will never demand a gift card number to satisfy an obligation.
- A prospective juror who disregards a jury summons will be contacted through the mail by the court clerk’s office and may, in certain circumstances, be ordered to appear before a judge. Such an order will always be in writing and signed by the judge.
- A fine will never be imposed until after the individual has appeared in court and been given the opportunity to explain his or her failure to appear. If a fine is imposed, it will be in open court and reduced to writing (and will not be payable by gift card number).
Citizens who wish to verify whether they were summoned for federal jury duty may contact the Northern District of Georgia’s jury office at 404-215-1640. Citizens can report a scam phone call by contacting the FBI Atlanta Field Office at 770-216-3000.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Crimes Against Justice
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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