What legitimate jury-duty notices look like
North Carolina courts say jury summonses and notices about a missed appearance are sent by first-class mail. Court officials and law enforcement do not call to threaten arrest or demand payment over the phone. The North Carolina Judicial Branch says the statutory penalty for failing to appear is $50 for each missed appearance, and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina says any federal court order or fine would be handled in writing and through court proceedings, not through Zelle, Venmo, cryptocurrency, gift cards or another phone payment. More guidance is available from the North Carolina Judicial Branch and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
How the reported call unfolded
WRAL reported that a Durham woman in her early 30s lost nearly $2,000 after a caller claiming to be a Durham County sheriff’s deputy said she had three arrest warrants related to missed jury duty. The caller knew her name, address and car’s make and model, and reportedly sought $990 for each supposed charge. Because the supplied sources identify WRAL as the original source of the victim interview and case details, those facts remain explicitly attributed to WRAL.
WRAL also reported that the woman filed complaints with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission. Those reports do not ensure reimbursement. The FTC guidance cited in WRAL’s account advises people who have paid a scammer to contact the bank, payment service or other operator immediately and ask whether the transaction can be reversed; recovery depends on how the payment was made.
Steps for Durham residents
Anyone receiving a call that threatens arrest over jury duty should end the call, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and independently look up the courthouse or sheriff’s office number before checking whether a real notice exists. The North Carolina Judicial Branch directs residents to report suspicious calls to their local sheriff’s office, the Attorney General’s Office or the FTC. Durham County says a resident seeking a jury-duty excusal or deferral must submit the request in writing to Chief District Court Judge Clayton J. Jones Jr. at least 10 days before the summoned date; its jury-duty information is available through Durham County Government.
