Feds Warn Of Jury Duty Scams

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Some South Florida residents called for jury duty have been targeted by scammers.

Federal officials say the scam takes several forms.

In one scam, victims are contacted by phone and told they must pay a fine for missing jury duty. Federal authorities say that is never the case. A person can be asked to explain why they missed jury duty and can even be held in contempt of court, but that is only done in open court by a judge.

Sometimes callers pose as court personnel and demand payment of a fine for missing jury duty using a prepaid credit card. In other cases, the victim is sent a fake arrest warrant and told to pay a fine to resolve it.

According to the U.S. Courts web page and video, federal courts never ask prospective jurors to provide sensitive information, such as Social Security or credit card numbers, over the telephone.

If anyone is contacted by someone requesting such payments on behalf of the court, please do not make the payment, and instead immediately contact the Southern District of Florida Jury section at (800) 865-1775 or (305) 523-5190.

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