Jury Duty Scam from LADAOffice on Vimeo.
LOS ANGELES – The calls and emails appear legitimate and frightening – pay up for failing to report for jury duty or you may be arrested.
But it’s a scam, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office warns.
Unsuspecting Los Angeles County residents may fall for the jury duty scam because con artists use bureaucratic language, official-looking seals and other tactics to dupe people into believing they were supposed to show up for court.
Callers will identify themselves as a court officer and claim an arrest warrant has been issued. They demand payment either by a credit or prepaid card to rectify the situation.
If the person resists, the fraudster will say that police have been sent out to the home for an immediate arrest.
Emails also are deceptive. Using what appears to be a county seal, residents are told that payments may be made online. Failure to do so, according to the fake email, will result in punishment.
A court official or a law enforcement officer will never call you for a non-appearance or to ask you to pay a fine, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Jurors who don’t show up are sent a letter and must appear before a judge in court.
Authorities recommend the following tips to protect against the jury duty scam:
- Do not click on links from unsolicited emails.
- If you are unsure whether you have been summoned for jury duty, find more information at: http://www.lacourt.org/division/jury/Jury.aspx or contact Los Angeles County’s Jurors Services at (800) 778-5879.
- The Los Angeles County Superior Court does make automated phone calls reminding people to appear for jury duty, but it will not ask for any personal information.
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Mike C says
Who do I talk to to get my 50 grand back? I sent it to an address in Zimbabwe.
Tim Scott says
They can’t give it back. Fifty grand was the entire federal budget of Zimbabwe and it has already been spent.