CONCORD, NH – Be aware: If you get a call asking for money from a “high ranking officer” involving failure to appear for jury duty, you’re being scammed.
Some residents have reported contact by a person from a fictitious agency that they refer to as the Federal Warrant Service. The caller identifies himself or herself as a “high ranking officer” and that the recipient of the call has a warrant for failing to appear for federal jury duty. The caller would give the “wanted person” the option of paying upwards of $650 plus a $150 processing fee to avoid the warrant service. If the “wanted person” did not comply with the payment request, they were told that agents would be coming to their homes to arrest them.
The U.S. Marshals and U.S. District Court would like to assure the public that this is a SCAM! Neither the U.S. Marshals, nor the U.S. District Court will ever call to make requests for payment of fines over the telephone for failure to appear for jury duty. Rather, jurors who miss jury duty may be requested to provide an explanation, or directed to appear at court, but they will not be solicited for payment of fines over the telephone. Although a juror may be held in contempt for failing to appear, that sanction is only imposed by a judge in open court with an opportunity for the summoned juror to explain the failure to appear.
These jury scams have been occurring across the United States, and just recently has come to light here in New Hampshire. If anyone is contacted or has been contacted by someone requesting such payments on behalf of the U.S. Marshals or U.S. District Court, please do NOT make the payment, and instead immediately contact your local police or the U.S. Marshals at (603) 225-1632.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
