Scam Alert Center
The latest scams and digital threats — explained in plain English so you know exactly what to watch for and how to protect yourself.
The Jury Duty Warrant Phone Scam Is Surging in 2026
You get a call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. They say you missed jury duty and there is now a warrant for your arrest. Pay a fine immediately or get arrested. It sounds official. It is completely fake. Courts in Delaware, Texas, Maryland, and California all issued warnings about this scam in 2026.
Quick Summary
Scammers impersonate law enforcement and threaten arrest over fake jury duty warrants
Real courts never collect fines by phone, ever
If you get this call: hang up immediately, then verify your actual jury status at your courthouse's official website
How This Scam Works
The caller knows your name. They give a fake badge number, a case number, and sound completely official. In 2026, many use AI to make their voices sound more authoritative.
Then comes the demand. They say the warrant can be cleared up right now if you pay by gift cards, wire transfer, Bitcoin, or cash at an ATM. They insist you stay on the phone while you drive to pay.
That last part is the giveaway. Keeping you on the phone prevents you from calling a family member or doing a quick search. Scammers send fake arrest warrant images by text to make it feel more real. Some even set up fake "precinct" phone numbers that play official-sounding recordings if you call back.
What To Do Right Now
1. Hang up immediately. You do not owe anyone an explanation. Just end the call.
2. Do not call back any number the caller gave you. Those numbers are controlled by the scammers.
3. Verify your actual jury status. Go to your county courthouse website directly. Look up the official jury services phone number and call it from a fresh search. You will find out in 60 seconds whether there is any actual issue.
4. Do not pay anything. No court in the United States collects fines by phone. Ever. Not by gift cards, not by wire transfer, not by Bitcoin.
5. Report the call. File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you already paid, contact your bank immediately and file a police report.
Stay Protected Going Forward
Save this rule: government agencies communicate by mail first, then in person. A phone call demanding immediate payment is always a scam, regardless of how official it sounds. Share this with any seniors in your family. They are the most frequently targeted by this specific scam.
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