The Jury Duty Scam: How Scammers Try to Intimidate You with Fake Arrest Warrants

Imagine being at work, busy with your day, when your phone rings—again and again—from an unknown number. Frustrated, you finally answer, only to be told there’s a warrant out for your arrest because you missed jury duty. Sounds scary, right?

Recently, a Reddit user shared their experience with this Jury Duty Scam, and it’s one that’s becoming all too common. Even worse, a friend of theirs received a similar call, with the caller ID showing up as the Sheriff’s Office. Let’s break down how these scams work, why they’re so effective, and how you can protect yourself.

Here’s what happened:

The Reddit user received three back-to-back calls from a blocked number. They declined the first two but, annoyed by the persistence, answered the third. The caller claimed to be an officer from the county courts, saying there was a bench warrant for the user’s arrest due to missed jury duty. The scammer even gave an old address to make the story sound more convincing. But the user didn’t buy it, especially when the caller started pressuring them to “settle” the issue or face immediate arrest.

Another friend’s experience was even more alarming: the caller ID came up as the Sheriff’s Office, and the person on the line claimed to be Sergeant John Smith, saying she’d missed Federal Jury Duty. The scammer demanded she send money immediately to avoid jail time. He was so believable that she almost fell for it. Thankfully, she hung up and called the real Sheriff’s Office. As it turns out, Sergeant John Smith is a real officer—who assured her it was a scam.

How the Scam Works

These scams rely on fear, urgency, and a bit of plausible authority. Scammers will pretend to be law enforcement officers or court officials, calling you with claims of missed jury duty or another legal issue. Their goal is to scare you into sending money—whether that’s a supposed fine or “settlement” to clear up the matter.

What makes this scam so convincing is that scammers can spoof caller IDs to make it look like they’re calling from your local Sheriff’s Office or court. Combine that with official-sounding names like “Sergeant John Smith” and it’s easy to see how someone could fall for it.

Red Flags You Should Watch For

Here’s the thing: legitimate officers don’t call ahead to give you a heads-up about a warrant. If there’s an actual issue, law enforcement doesn’t negotiate fines over the phone. If something feels off, trust your instincts.

In these cases, several red flags should alert you to a scam:

1. Blocked or Unknown Numbers: Legitimate officers don’t call from blocked numbers. And even if the caller ID looks official, don’t trust it immediately—scammers can easily spoof numbers.

2. Immediate Threats or Pressure: Scammers want you to act fast. If someone is threatening to send officers to your house unless you pay a fine or settle something on the spot, it’s a scam. Real officers don’t operate like that.

3. Requests for Payment: Whether it’s through wire transfers, Zelle, or gift cards, law enforcement will never ask for money over the phone. The second someone asks for a payment method, hang up.

4. Old or Incorrect Information: Scammers will often use old addresses or outdated information to make it seem like they’re legit. But if they don’t have accurate, up-to-date info, it’s likely a scam.

What to Do if You Get One of These Calls

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a call like this, don’t panic. Here are some actionable steps to protect yourself:

1. Hang Up and Verify: If you get a call from someone claiming to be law enforcement, hang up immediately. Don’t engage. Call your local Sheriff’s Office or court directly using a number you’ve found on their official website—not the number the caller gives you.

2. Don’t Pay Anything: Law enforcement doesn’t ask for payments over the phone, period. If someone’s demanding money, it’s a scam. Don’t send anything, no matter how official they sound.

3. Ask for Specifics: If you’re unsure, ask the caller for detailed information—like a badge number or case number. Scammers usually can’t provide these details, or if they do, they won’t check out when you verify them with the real authorities.

4. Be Skeptical of Caller ID: Just because the caller ID says “Sheriff’s Office” doesn’t mean it’s legit. Spoofing technology lets scammers make it look like they’re calling from an official source when they’re not.

What Happened After the Call?

In both stories, no officers arrived, no bench warrants were filed, and no fines needed to be paid. It was all a scam, designed to scare the victims into handing over money. By staying calm and verifying the information with the actual Sheriff’s Office, the victims were able to avoid falling into the scammers’ trap.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Intimidated

Scammers will go to great lengths to make their stories seem believable—whether it’s using real names of local officers, spoofing caller IDs, or piling on the pressure. But now you know the signs and how to protect yourself.

If you get a call like this, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, hang up, and verify the information with the real authorities. Your best defense is knowledge—and now you have it.

Have you ever received a call like this? Share your story below, and let’s help each other stay safe from these scams!