Citizens of Idaho are being targeted by phone calls threatening arrest for contempt of court, written citations, warrants for failing to comply and/or not showing up for federal jury service.

Scammers sound convincing and use real information about the victim, actual court addresses and  names of federal judges or local law enforcement officers to make the scam appear more credible. Scammers may even “spoof” the phone number on caller ID so that the call falsely appears to be from law enforcement and may have police radio traffic in the background. Callers tend to have an accent, are threatening, intimidating and try to keep you on the phone. You may also be told to report to the police department to provide your signature for verification that your signature matches what is on your jury documents. 

Never meet these individuals, provide cash,contact a Bail Bondsman, purchase pre-paid money cards or provide personal information. The callers are requesting hundreds to thousands of dollars and advising that your money would be refunded after the matter is taken care of and after a Zoom call with the Judge. If you do not comply with their demands, they get angry and may text or tell you that deputies are on their way to arrest you. Citizens receiving these calls can defend yourself by simply hanging up the phone.

The U.S. District Court of Idaho wants citizens to know that these calls are not from court officials. Federal courts do not require prospective jurors to provide sensitive information, nor do we call and threaten prospective jurors or request any sort of payment. 

It is a crime for anyone to falsely represent himself or herself as a federal court official. Citizens receiving threatening phone calls for failure to report for jury duty should never provide sensitive information such as: credit card numbers, bank account information, social security numbers, etc. about themselves or family members.

Don’t be a victim. Hang up the phone and spread the word that scammers are actively calling citizens regarding jury service.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS/CONCERNS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU MISSED JURY SERVICE, GO DIRECTLY TO THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND SPEAK TO JURY STAFF.

Jury Phone Scams

In various parts of the United States, citizens are being targeted by phone calls and threatened with prosecution for failing to comply with a federal jury summons.

Citizens have received phone calls attempting to coerce them into providing personal and confidential information.  Disclosing this information may result in identity theft and fraud. Citizens have also received requests from the caller to purchase a "money pack" card for payment to avoid arrest. These calls are hoaxes and scams.

The U.S. District Court of Idaho wants citizens to know that these calls are not from court officials. Federal courts do not require prospective jurors to provide sensitive information nor do we call and threaten prospective jurors. Finally, federal courts do not post on a Web site or any public site the names of jurors that have failed to comply with a jury summons or fail to appear for jury selection.

It is a crime for anyone to falsely represent himself or herself as a federal court official.  Citizen receiving threatening phone calls for failure to report for jury duty should never provide sensitive information (credit card numbers, bank account information, social security numbers, etc.) about themselves or family members.  Citizens receiving these calls can defend yourself by simply hanging up the phone and contacting the Federal Jury Administrator for the District of Idaho at 208-334-1493.  

The Jury Office for the United States Courts for the District of Idaho will never ask for payment, a credit card or social security number for failure to appear for jury duty.

Please report suspicious activity immediately to your local law enforcement agency.