Callers Threatening Arrest for “Missed Jury Duty” Are Scammers — Hang Up Immediately
Scammers are calling people, claiming they missed jury duty and will be arrested unless they pay immediately. Hang up — it’s a scam.
⛔ Critical Severity — Phone Scam — April 5, 2026
Sheriff’s offices and courts across the country are warning about a surge in calls where someone claims to be a law enforcement officer or court official. The caller tells you that you missed jury duty and that there is now an arrest warrant out for you. They say the only way to avoid being arrested is to pay a fine — often $1,000 to $4,000 or more — immediately, by gift card, wire transfer, or a payment app like Zelle or Venmo. The caller ID on your phone may even show the name and number of a real sheriff’s office, because scammers can fake that. It is entirely made up. There is no warrant. No one is coming to arrest you.
What to Do
Hang up the moment anyone demands immediate payment to avoid arrest. Courts and law enforcement officers never call to threaten arrest for missed jury duty, and they never accept gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps as payment for anything. If you are worried that you genuinely missed a jury summons, hang up and call your local courthouse directly using a number from their official website — never use a number the caller gives you. The fact that the caller ID looks real means nothing — that can be faked in minutes.