Residents of Mecklenburg County are being alerted to a jury service scam that has recently circulated. The county's Trial Court Administrator's Office (TCA) reports that some individuals have received calls, texts, and emails falsely claiming they missed jury duty and could face fines or arrest warrants.
Local authorities advise the public to ignore these communications and to avoid providing personal information or making payments. Scammers often use tactics that prompt quick responses, frequently contacting individuals at night and referencing potential legal consequences. In North Carolina, genuine jury summonses and failure-to-appear notices are sent by first-class mail to a person’s residence or post office box, not through unsolicited electronic messages. Mecklenburg County officials have stated that neither court personnel nor law enforcement contact individuals by phone to threaten arrest for missing jury service.
Sonya L. Harper, director of Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services, highlighted the need for public awareness on this matter. "We want our residents to be aware so if they get one of these suspicious and threatening calls, they know it's a scam," Harper stated in a statement obtained by Mecklenburg County. These scams often target senior citizens, though people of all ages can be affected. They may involve requests for payments through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Individuals concerned about their jury service status or who believe they may have been targeted by these scams are advised to contact the Jury Management Office of the Trial Court Administrator directly. Residents can call 877-649-7133 or email [email protected] to verify their status. There has been a noted increase in scam activity corresponding with high-profile court cases.
