Jury Duty Scam Happening In Oregon

Avoiding scams has become a way of life. The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) reported that Oregonians are being targeted by fraudulent calls, emails and texts threatening people with fines, prosecution or jail time for “failing to comply with jury duty.” One woman gave up $2,000 after someone posing as a police officer stole money through Zelle. 

Officials are telling everyone that state and federal courts do not require anyone to provide sensitive information in a call, email or text. Oregon courts will not request personal information, make threats or demand money. The courts do, however, provide jury notices and reminders by text.

The scam caller posed as a law enforcement officer and gave the woman a name, badge number and reading back her personal mailing address and full name. He then gave her “case numbers” for missing a court date and said she was in contempt of court. 

The OJD sent out a warning Friday of bogus phone calls, emails and texts on jury duty that may lead to fraud. 

If you have received one of these calls, emails or texts and have given out personal information, monitor your account statements and credit reports carefully. If any unauthorized charges are made, report the theft to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-438-4338. Also, contact a credit bureau to request that it place a fraud alert on your credit history.  

According to OJD, here is what to do if you receive a jury-related phone call, email or text that demands information or money: 

• Do not provide the requested information, nor payment. 

• Do not reply directly to the text or email, click on any links, nor open any attachments, even if it appears that the message is coming from the courts or police. 

• Scammers often create messages that look like they are coming from a legitimate source when they are not.

• If possible, get the caller’s name and number and then hang up. 

• Reach out directly to your local circuit court jury coordinator to verify or report the contact.