Warning: Missed Jury Duty Scam
 | Author:
Victor Sample
Vic Sample: MT43 News Treasurer |
Article Published: // Volume: Edition: The Missed Jury Duty scam is not new but I just came across a warning about the scam. The jury duty scam has been reported extensively across Montana, with multiple county sheriffs, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, and the state Attorney General issuing warnings. Scammers are actively spoofing local phone numbers and targeting residents in several Montana communities.
How the Scam Works:
The Initial Contact: You receive an unexpected phone call, email, or text message from someone posing as a local sheriff’s deputy, court official, or U.S. Marshal.
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The Threat: The caller claims you failed to show up for a mandatory jury duty summons, resulting in a judge issuing a bench warrant for your arrest or citing you for "contempt of court".
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Building Credibility: To sound legitimate, scammers often spoof official law enforcement caller ID numbers, cite real judge names, give fake badge numbers, or send forged PDF warrant documents. They may even recite your real address or family details, which they gather from public records.
The Demand: They claim you can clear the warrant and avoid immediate arrest by paying a "citation fine" or "bond" on the spot. Alternatively, they may offer to "cancel" the warrant if you confirm sensitive information like your Social Security number or date of birth.
If you get one of these calls HANG UP IMMEDIATELY!
* Do Not Share Personal Info: Never verify your full name, birthdate, Social Security number, or financial data
* Verify Directly: If you are worried you actually missed jury duty, look up the official phone number for your local county clerk's office or sheriff's department directly (do not use numbers provided by the caller) and call them to verify.
* Report the Incident:
If you receive a suspicious call in Montana, hang up immediately and report it to the Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection at (800) 481-6896 or directly to your local sheriff's office
Montana officials emphasise three key rules:
No phone fines: Neither Montana district courts nor the U.S. Marshal’s Service call citizens demanding money, fine settlements, or gift cards over the phone.
District of Montana
No Bitcoin/Kiosks: Real law enforcement agencies never ask people to transfer cash into Bitcoin machines or crypto ATMs.
Written notice: Any official notice regarding jury duty, fines, or court appearances in Montana is delivered in writing by postal mail.
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