In many cases, scammers threatened jail time if the fines weren't paid with prepaid gift cards, authorities said.
PHOENIX — Phone scams regarding jury service are on the rise, Maricopa County Superior Court officials said.
The Superior Court Jury Office has reportedly received an increase in calls over the past few months from county residents who say they have received fraudulent phone calls demanding payment for failing to serve on a jury.
In many cases, scammers threatened jail time if the fines weren't paid with prepaid gift cards, authorities said.
“These scams are very sophisticated and easy to believe. Scammers will pose as law enforcement, misrepresent the identity of an actual police officer, or change their caller ID to make the scam more believable,” said Jury Administrator Matthew Martin. “To protect yourself, please remember that the Jury Office will never call individuals requesting payment for any reason. Any fines or fees associated with failing jury service can only be ordered by a court judge.”
If you are the target of such a scam, authorities recommend writing down the caller's phone number and reporting it to police.
As always, do not give any personal information to anyone who calls or agree to pay any money, and if you are unsure of your status, you can check your juror status by calling the Jury Office at 602-506-5879.
“If anyone misses jury duty, the court will issue a notice of failure to appear by U.S. mail and the potential juror will be asked to reschedule their jury service for a later date,” Martin said.
According to FBI data, US residents lost an estimated $1.3 billion to similar jury scams last year, in which scammers pose as government or “tech support” agents. Victims in Arizona are expected to lose about $325 million in 2023, making it one of the states with the highest losses.
For more information about Maricopa County's jury system and how to respond to a jury summons, please visit: https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/jury/.
>> Download the 12News App to get the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Watch 12News+ for free
The 12News+ app allows you to watch 12News content anytime, anywhere.
12News' free app, 12News+, allows users to stream daily news shows like “Today in AZ” and “12 News,” as well as live events, including the daily lifestyle show “Arizona Midday.” Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ delivers live video throughout the day, including breaking news, local news, weather forecasts and even Zen moments showcasing breathtaking views from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand video including top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Adding Channels from the Roku Store Or search “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” Find free 12News+ apps to add to your accountOr, you can get the 12News+ app directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon App.
12 News on YouTube
Check out the latest news and stories 12News YouTube ChannelSubscribe now.
