Florida residents are being targeted by a phone scam involving jury duty, prompting a warning from state attorney Dave Aronberg. According to reports from CBS12, fraudsters have been posing as local law enforcement and informing people that they've missed jury duty and that a warrant for their arrest will be issued.
Aronberg has stated, "If you get a call from a stranger about a missed juror summons, simply hang up. This is a total scam. Don’t fall for it." These scammers demand that their targets avoid jail time by paying a fine, often asking for payment through gift cards or wire transfers. In continued warnings, Aronberg highlights the risk of giving out personal or financial information over the phone, emphasizing that such requests are likely fraudulent, according to the WPBF interview.
The scam has reportedly seen an uptick in the past year, with the perpetrators becoming increasingly convincing in their impersonations. The State Attorney's Office is taking proactive steps to inform the public and encourage those who may have questions about their jury duty, or the legitimacy of a summons to reach out directly to the authorities.
For those seeking clarification or needing to verify jury duty summonses, Palm Beach County's Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo's office is the point of contact. Aronberg urges, "Anyone who asks for payments to be made through gift cards or wire transfers is most likely a scammer." Information on contacting the clerk's office can be found on their official website, a resource that could provide reassurance to concerned citizens, as was mentioned in CBS12 report.
