Jury Duty Scam Calls & Texts: How to Spot Them and Check With the Court (2026)
Updated 2026-11-04 · Tracked across 399 U.S. County Courthouses
A common scam: a caller says they are a deputy or court officer and tells you that you missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued. They demand an immediate payment by gift card, wire, crypto or payment app to "clear" it. Real courts do not do this.
Warning signs
- Pressure to pay right now, or stay on the phone until you pay.
- Payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, Zelle, Venmo or a prepaid card.
- A threat of immediate arrest for a missed summons.
- Requests for your Social Security number, date of birth or bank details "to verify" your identity.
- A text or email link to a "juror portal" that is not on the court's official website.
How missed jury duty is actually handled
If you miss jury service, a court typically mails you a notice or an order to appear before a judge. Any penalty is decided in court, not over the phone. Fines are paid to the clerk of court through official channels.
How to check with the real court
- Hang up. Do not call back the number the caller gave you.
- Find the jury office number on the court's official website. Every county page on this site links to it.
- Ask the jury office whether you have any missed service or open matter.
- Report the call to local law enforcement and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the court call me if I missed jury duty?
Courts generally contact you by mail and handle missed jury service through a court hearing. They do not call, text or email demanding payment, and they never accept gift cards or payment apps.
Is a jury duty text message real?
Some courts send text reminders, but a text demanding payment or threatening arrest is a scam. Check by calling the jury office using the number on the official court website.
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