Jury Duty Scam Calls: “You Missed Jury Duty and Will Be Arrested” Is a Scam

If someone calls to say you missed jury duty and will be arrested unless you pay right now, it’s a scam. The FTC warned about these calls in March 2025 and again in June 2026. Courts don’t collect fines by phone, so hang up and call the court yourself using the number on its official website.

What does the scam call sound like?

According to the FTC, the caller claims to be a U.S. Marshal or a police officer. A typical script, as the FTC describes it, goes like this: you missed jury duty, there is a warrant for your arrest, and you will be arrested unless you pay a fine right away.

The caller may:

• Use an official-sounding title, such as U.S. Marshal or officer.
• Send fake warrant documents by text or email.
• Ask for your Social Security number or date of birth to “verify” your identity.
• Demand payment by gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or wire transfer.

In August 2025, the FTC also warned that some of these scammers send people to fake payment websites.

Why does it work?

The threat of arrest is frightening, and the caller wants you to act before you think. Many people are not sure what happens if they miss a jury summons, so the story can sound possible.

For older adults, a call from someone who claims to be law enforcement can feel impossible to question. That is exactly the pressure scammers rely on.

How can you tell it’s a scam?

• Courts don’t collect fines by phone.
• No court or officer asks for gift cards, payment apps, crypto or wire transfers.
• A demand to pay “now” to avoid arrest is the core of the scam.
• A request for your Social Security number or date of birth on an unexpected call is a warning sign.
• A “warrant” sent by text or email is part of the scam.

What should you do if you get this call?

• Hang up. Don’t argue or confirm any personal details.
• Look up your local court’s official website yourself and call the number listed there.
• Don’t click links or open documents sent by text or email.
• Don’t pay anything the caller asks for.
• Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM).

What if your parent already paid?

• If they paid with a gift card, contact the gift card company right away.
• If they used a payment app, bank transfer or card, call the bank on the number on the back of the card.
• If they shared a Social Security number, keep a close eye on bank and credit accounts.
• Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and at ic3.gov.
• Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm ET. Scammers sometimes pretend to be this hotline, so dial the number yourself.
• The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360, can help with next steps.

How can families prepare?

Talk with your parent about this scam before it happens. One sentence is enough to remember: courts don’t call to collect fines.

Some families also add a phone check for unknown calls. FamilyDefender can warn the parent during a call that looks risky and alert a family member at the same time.