New ID Theft scam involves bogus missed jury duty

Remar Sutton, DCU StreetWise Spokesperson

A new Identity Theft scam has surfaced in several sections of the country involving jury duty. The scammer calls and poses as a clerk from the local court or police. The caller indicates that you've missed jury duty and may be arrested unless you provide specific personal information, such as address, Social Security number, birth date. Some callers even ask for credit card data. The scammers hope that the fear of arrest will frighten the call recipients, prompting them to give up the information without stopping to reflect. And it does. We found dozens of consumer alerts posted by judicial districts in many areas of the country, including the Federal Courts. Here's how to protect yourself from this scam.

How to tell its a scam

Most courts follow up a missed jury duty notice with a letter (not even an email) not a phone call. Nor do most courts need your social security number and even then they won't ask for it over the phone. The callers usually sound very sincere and believable, but that's the scam artist's best “skill.”

What to do if you receive such a call

Bottom line: NEVER give out your personal information over the phone if you receive an unsolicited call. It doesn't matter who the callers say they are or how serious they claim the matter is. If you think you should follow up, then hang up, look up the number of the "clerk of court office" yourself in the phone book or with directory assistance, and initiate the phone call yourself. You might also report the scam call to the appropriate court office and file a complaint with the FTC Identity Theft site.

Breaking news analysis prepared for DCU by Remar Sutton & Associates, September 2005.

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