HARTFORD – The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is warning the public of a law enforcement imposter scam that alerts recipients about missing jury duty and demands action intended to steal their money and personal information.
Scammers will use phone calls and email messages to notify the recipient that they failed to comply with jury duty, demanding payment in order to avoid fees, court appointments, or even jail time.
"Scammers are taking advantage of the fear many people have that they will face serious consequences if they miss jury duty,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “All U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are eligible for jury duty and should take that responsibility seriously. But don’t let scammers take advantage of the importance of jury duty. Anyone with a phone or email should always be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages, hang up or report the sender, and if you are unsure, contact the organization directly.”
“Participating in jury duty is a crucial part of our justice system and defrauding people in this arena is blatantly illegal,’’ said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins. “I urge everyone to be wary when they receive unsolicited calls or text messages.”
“Jury duty scams are very common across the country,” said Connecticut Judicial Branch Jury Administrator Esther Harris. “Here are a few things to remember in order to protect yourself against these types of scams: Jury Administration will never ask for payment, or a credit card for failure to appear for jury service. Do not give out personal information by phone. Jury Administration will not contact you by phone for failure to appear. Contact your local police department to report suspicious activity.”
In 2023, consumers lost $171 million to government imposter scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In 2024, the reported loss increased to $789 million.
Signs of a scam include:
- Unsolicited calls or emails demanding immediate action.
- Caller demands payment over the phone through payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service, or peer-to-peer apps such as Venmo or PayPal.
- Message creates a sense of urgency and includes short timeframe to complete action.
- Threatens legal or financial action if you fail to comply.
- Asks for sensitive information over the phone such as birth date, Social Security number, etc.
Courts do not communicate with jurors via phone calls, email or text messages. Jury summons and additional information are communicated through postal mail.
If you receive a message from a court or government agency and are unsure if it is real, search the organization on their official website and contact them directly.
If you have received a jury duty scam, report the details to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/