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Jury Duty Scams

Thursday, July 31, 2014

If you have received a phone call or email asking you to provide personal information and/or send payment to avoid arrest or other penalty, it is a scam.

 

The court will NOT do any of the following:

  1. The court will NOT send or accept jury forms by email. The court's official forms do not require your social security number or other personal information such as your mother's maiden name.
  2. Serve a warrant by e-mail or fax. Valid warrants will always be served in person by a U.S. Marshal or other law enforcement officer.
  3. Call, e-mail, or send a fax to tell you a warrant has been issued.
  4. Demand the payment of money in lieu of being arrested.
  5. Demand verification of personal information via email or phone call, such as date of birth, social security number, or bank account information.

 

Scammers, claiming to be a officer or attorney of the U.S. government, have been contacting citizens and demanding payment of money or verification of personal information in order for the subject of the scam to avoid arrest. Scammers have also been sending official-looking jury forms via email to citizens that ask for personal information (phishing). Calls and emails such as these are scams. Such emails may contain trojan horses or viruses.

 

What Can You Do?

If you believe that you have been the victim of fraud or have received a scam phone call, phishing e-mail, or fax, contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (802) 951-6725.

If you have any concerns about a communication that purports to be from the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, contact us at 802-951-8110. More information about jury duty scams, including a video, is available on the U.S. Courts website.