Nobody wants to be arrested. So when seniors and others receive calls, texts or emails that they may be arrested unless they pay thousands for missing jury duty, they sometimes pay up. Unfortunately, this warrant threat is part of  an old scheme that has been taken to a sophisticated new level that casts a much wider net than prior versions. Today alone, a flood of calls came into District Court Jury Services from savvy citizens calling to inquire if the warrant threat was legitimate.

“This scam repeatedly makes the rounds in our community, but we’re seeing an elevated version this time. They are using text messages  and other methods that appear to be reaching many more people, “ said District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese. “ We advise the community to always be wary of those calling for money or personal information. That is something the court never does.”

The calls, text and emails may seem legitimate. They sound official, they leave callback information , but there are some telltale signs of foul play.

10 things you should know:

¨ The court or law enforcement will not call you to make payment for a warrant for missing jury duty.

¨ No official court personnel will ask you to meet them on the courthouse steps to make any payment of any kind.

¨ No official representatives of the court will call to solicit money for any purpose.

¨ The court will not call or email to ask you to make payment for a warrant with a pre-paid credit card.

¨ The court never calls or e-mails or texts people to get personal information such as their social security number.

¨ Those who receive suspicious e-mails or calls asking for money or pre-paid credit cards should not respond and are advised to contact the Attorney General’s office or Metro Financial Crimes Unit.

¨ The court does want you to respond to an official jury summons when you receive one in the mail.

¨ Citizens fulfilling jury service is one of the most important and crucial aspects of our justice system.

¨ Our judges highly respect and value this service and it can be very informative and rewarding for those who serve on juries.

¨ The District Court website has information on jury service; visit https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/ejdc/juror-information/index.html. Those who have received a summons can reschedule jury service online at https://ejuror.clarkcountycourts.us. A jury phone line is also available at 725-215-1011 – push 0 for an operator.