The missed jury-duty warrant call

Scammers call claiming you missed jury duty and have a warrant, pressuring you to pay or give personal information immediately.

Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z

How it works

You receive a call from someone claiming to represent the court system, saying you failed to respond to a jury summons and now have a legal warrant against you. They create urgency and fear, insisting you must act right away—either pay a fine, confirm your identity, or face arrest.

What it can look like

You get a call saying, 'This is the court calling. You missed jury duty on [date]. There's a warrant for your arrest. You need to settle this now by providing your Social Security number or making a payment.' The caller uses official-sounding language and may even reference a fake case number to seem legitimate.

How it unfolds

Scams like this follow a pattern. Knowing the arc helps you notice where you are — and step away before the ask.

You receive a call from someone claiming to be from the court, saying you missed jury duty and there's a warrant for your arrest. They sound official and use real court terminology.

They tell you that you need to act immediately to avoid arrest, jail time, or heavy fines. They create urgency and fear so you won't think clearly or ask questions.

They ask you to 'verify your identity' or 'resolve the problem' by providing personal information, a Social Security number, date of birth, or payment via gift card, wire transfer, or prepaid card.

You can stop here: Real courts never call to demand immediate payment or personal info by phone. Real courts send official written notices by mail. If you're unsure, hang up and call your local court directly using a number from their official website.

Red flags

They call you unexpectedly and demand immediate action to avoid arrest or legal trouble.
They ask for personal information (Social Security number, date of birth) or payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Real courts do not call people demanding payment over the phone or threatening arrest without formal written notice first.
They pressure you not to hang up or say you cannot verify the call with the court directly.
The number they call from looks official but may be spoofed; real courts use official channels, not random phone calls.

What to do

Hang up immediately. If you're unsure, call your local courthouse directly using a number you find yourself online or in the phone book—never use a number the caller provides.
Never give personal information, passwords, or payment details over the phone in response to an unsolicited call.
Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov so others are warned.

If it already happened

Acting quickly can limit the damage. You are not alone, and it is not your fault.

Stop all contact with the caller immediately. Do not send any money, gift cards, or personal information, and do not call them back.
Contact your bank or card issuer right away if you've already sent money or shared card details. Ask them to reverse any charges and secure your account.
Change any passwords you may have given out, and monitor your credit reports for suspicious activity. Consider placing a fraud alert with one of the three major credit bureaus.
Report the call and all details about what happened to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and also report it to your local police non-emergency line.

Sources

Guidance on this page draws on public, authoritative consumer-protection resources (verified live 2026-07-10). Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z.

Spotted this or lost money? Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is general educational information, not legal or financial advice — and ScamVet never asks for your identity or account details.

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