‘I almost got ate’: Woman reports new twist on old jury duty scam

How it works

The scammer calls you by phone and claims you failed to appear in court. They demand immediate payment (often thousands of dollars) to avoid arrest. They send fake documents with logos from government agencies to make the threat seem real.

Red flags to watch for

• Caller demands immediate payment to avoid arrest
• They claim you missed court or jury duty
• Fake documents with real agency logos (Supreme Court, OIG, FDIC)
• Pressure to pay by wire transfer or gift card
• Real courts do not call about missed appearances

What to do

Do not give money or personal information to anyone who calls about court or arrest. Hang up immediately. If you are genuinely concerned about a court matter, call the court directly using the phone number from its official website, or visit in person. Do not use any phone number the caller gives you.