Utah Courts Warn of Jury Scam

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Courts said police have been getting calls from the public complaining that someone is calling them posing as law enforcement and demanding they pay a fine for failing to report for jury duty.

The caller has personal information including details on a recent move in some cases, a news release said.

The fake officer says there is a warrant out for the person’s arrest and demands payment for a fine over the phone.

The release listed several signs that will flag the call as fraudulent. Scammers often demand fines are paid with a pre-paid card, wire transfer, or cash delivery to a physical location. Utah Courts said its jury duty communication is done through the mail and the courts never ask for fines to be paid over the phone. Finally, Utah Courts will never have law enforcement contact you about missing jury duty and never threaten arrest or jail time over the phone.

If you suspect a scammer has called you, hang up and call local law enforcement. More information on the Jury Service Scam is available online.

Most courts in the state are not holding jury trials during the pandemic, the release said. Still, some people will be mailed a jury questionnaire which must be filled out and returned so the courts are prepared when jury trials resume.