What it looks like
"This is Sergeant Mike Hall with the County Sheriff's Office. You failed to appear for jury duty and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. Call me back at 1-866-XXX-XXXX to resolve this before deputies are sent."
An example. Real ones change their wording, amounts and names all the time.
How it works
Scammers look up the names of real local deputies and court officers and use them on the call. They may read out a case number or a badge number, and some even name a local judge. All of it is meant to make you believe a warrant really exists.
Then they offer a way out: pay a fine or bond today and the warrant goes away. They ask for gift cards, cash fed into a Bitcoin ATM, or a payment app, and often keep you on the phone while you drive to the store. Some tell you to bring your receipts to the courthouse afterward, which makes the story feel official.
It fools honest people because it turns their respect for the law against them. Many people are not sure whether a summons ever came, so 'you missed it' sounds possible. Federal courts say real court staff will not ask for sensitive details like your Social Security number or a card number over the phone. If you are worried you missed a summons, the clerk of court can tell you for sure.
Signs it is fake
- A call or text saying you missed jury duty, often using the name of a real local officer
- A demand to pay a fine or 'bond' right now to avoid arrest
- Payment by gift card, prepaid card, cryptocurrency or a Bitcoin ATM
- Questions about your Social Security number or date of birth to 'check your record'
- Instructions to stay on the phone while you go get the money
What to do
- Hang up. Courts mostly contact jurors by mail, and the U.S. Marshals Service says it does not call people to collect fines for missing jury duty.
- Call the clerk of court at your local courthouse. Look up the number yourself, not from the call.
- Do not give your Social Security number, birth date or card number to anyone who calls about jury duty.
If you already clicked, called or paid
- If you paid, call your bank, the gift card company, or the company that runs the Bitcoin ATM right away.
- Call your local police, and tell the clerk of court so they can warn others.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.
Being fooled is not your fault. These messages are made by professionals to look real. Acting quickly is what matters. See what to do if you paid a scammer.
Not sure about a message?
Forward it to Uncle at +1 208 214 0093, or send a screenshot. He tells you plainly what looks wrong. He never asks for passwords or codes, and he never texts first. How it works.
Worried about a parent? With the Family plan, you get a heads up when a likely scam reaches them.
More common scams
Written by the Textuncle team. Last updated October 3, 2026.
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