Just Hang Up: Jury Duty Arrest Warrant Scam Resurfaces

BRIGHTON, Colo. (CBS4)- Just hang up-- that's the advice from law enforcement in Adams and Broomfield Counties after an old scam about jury duty and arrest warrants has resurfaced.

According to the Adams County District Attorney's Office, many people have received phone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer or sheriff's deputy with an arrest warrant because that person did not show up for jury duty.

DA Dave Young confirmed this is an old scam that has recently resurfaced. People have called law enforcement concerned about the threatening phone calls and threats of arrest for failing to show up for jury duty summons they never received.

Here's how it works: the caller claims to be with the jury commissioner's office or law enforcement. Sometimes they demand payment in the form of a pre-paid debit card purchased from Walmart, Walgreens, a dollar store or Pay Pal account to resolve the nonexistent arrest warrant.

Sometimes the scammers ask for personal identification information including birth date, full name and Social Security number. Once they obtain that information, they have stolen the victim's identity and can make unauthorized charges on credit cards and empty bank accounts.

Young said no one from law enforcement or the court will call and insist that money be sent to avoid immediate arrest. No one from the court will call to ask for a Social Security number over the phone or by email. Young urges everyone to avoid giving this kind of information over the phone unless the call has been initiated by you.

Additional Information from the Adams and Brighton District Attorney's Office:

If you get a call like this, contact local law enforcement or the Judicial Department at
720-625-5000. You also may call the Colorado Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at 800-222-4444.