The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina are issuing a joint warning about a new jury duty scam targeting residents in the state.
According to officials, scammers are contacting individuals by phone, claiming to be representatives of the court system.
They threaten victims with arrest or financial penalties for failing to report for jury duty.
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The FBI and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices offer the following tips to avoid becoming a target:
- Court officials will never request payment or personal information over the phone. Jury summons will arrive by mail.
- Do not be pressured into making immediate decisions. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to cloud your judgment.
- If unsure about a call, hang up and verify the information directly with the courthouse. Contact details can be found on official government websites.
- Report suspicious calls to the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/ or your local law enforcement agency.
Officials emphasize that legitimate jury summons will never request money or personal details over the phone. They encourage citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
This joint warning comes as part of an ongoing effort by law enforcement agencies to combat phone scams targeting the public.
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