Officials Warn Residents About Jury Duty Scam

Key points

• Scammers pose as court officials claiming victims missed jury duty or have outstanding arrest warrants
• Fraudsters demand immediate payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to avoid arrest
• Ocean County authorities are actively warning residents about the increase in these telephone scams
• Victims should not provide personal information or payment to unknown callers claiming to be from the court

FAQ

How do jury duty scammers contact victims?

Scammers typically call victims by phone, impersonating court officials or law enforcement. They claim the person missed jury duty or has an outstanding warrant, then pressure them to make immediate payment to avoid arrest.

What payment methods do these scammers request?

Scammers ask for payment via difficult-to-trace methods including gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and other untraceable payment forms. Legitimate courts never demand immediate payment over the phone.

What should I do if I receive one of these calls?

Hang up immediately and do not provide personal information or payment. Contact your local law enforcement or the court directly using an official phone number to verify any legitimate jury duty or legal claims against you.