Jury Duty Scammers Now Text and Email Fake Arrest Warrants to Make Their Threats Look Real
Jury duty scams typically start with an urgent call from someone claiming to be a U.S. Marshal or local police officer. To catch you off guard, the caller may already know your name or address. They say you missed jury duty and threaten arrest unless you pay a fine via payment app or cryptocurrency. The new twist: scammers now follow up with a text or email containing a fake arrest warrant — complete with your personal details and a fine amount — to make the threat feel official.
Real law enforcement will never text or email you an arrest warrant. Courts never demand payment over the phone. And no government agency will ask you to pay with cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfer services like Western Union.
What to look for
- Unexpected calls claiming you missed jury duty and face arrest or a fine
- Follow-up texts or emails with documents that look like arrest warrants, bench warrants, or court orders
- Demands to pay via payment apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfer services
- Threats that the warrant will be executed if you hang up or do not pay immediately
What to do
Hang up. Do not open or click any links in the text or email. If you are truly summoned for jury duty, you will receive a physical letter from the court with clear instructions.