District of Idaho

Jury Phone Scams

In various parts of the United States, citizens are being targeted by phone calls and threatened with prosecution for failing to comply with a federal jury summons.

Citizens have received phone calls attempting to coerce them into providing personal and confidential information.  Disclosing this information may result in identity theft and fraud. Citizens have also received requests from the caller to purchase a "money pack" card for payment to avoid arrest. These calls are hoaxes and scams.

The U.S. District Court of Idaho wants citizens to know that these calls are not from court officials. Federal courts do not require prospective jurors to provide sensitive information nor do we call and threaten prospective jurors. Finally, federal courts do not post on a Web site or any public site the names of jurors that have failed to comply with a jury summons or fail to appear for jury selection.

It is a crime for anyone to falsely represent himself or herself as a federal court official.  Citizen receiving threatening phone calls for failure to report for jury duty should never provide sensitive information (credit card numbers, bank account information, social security numbers, etc.) about themselves or family members.  Citizens receiving these calls can defend yourself by simply hanging up the phone and contacting the Federal Jury Administrator for the  District of Idaho at 208-334-1493 or 1-800-448-6172.  These matters will be turned over to the United States Marshal's Office.

Scam Call - Money Pay Pac Cards

Caller identified himself as Bonneville Deputy Sheriff, left message with wife to call him back. Called back and had official sounding Bonneville Co. recording with police motto and call options. Advised him he had a warrant for his arrest due to missing jury service. Advised could serve 2 weeks in jail or pay $900 bond. Bond required cash due to COVID rules. 

PLEASE READ: Detailed Description of Scam

As I was going to get the cash the scammer said I had to leave my phone on so they could track me otherwise I would be arrested. The scammer sounded like an inner city African American but assured me he was just the messenger

If I told anybody the Crimestoppers rule would let the person I told turn me in to collect a reward.

After I withdrew cash the scammer said the deposit system at the courthouse was not working and I would have to send the money via money pac cards since that is the only system the court used. Since these cards each had $500 limit I had to buy 6  $450 cards. Each card had a 6 dollar fee, I was assured that this was all going to be refunded. The place to get these he suggested were mostly truck stops and grocery stores. I went to Albertsons 1st.  They were very skeptical and would only sell me 4. I bought another at Walgreen and the final one at another Albertsons.  Lady there was very skeptical and said right out that the sum Of 450 was used by scammers. Both Albertson clerks asked me what this was for and checked with managers,  The scammer said I had to lie or they would turn me in due to this Crimestopper law.  I scratched the numbers off of each card and gave them to the scammer over the phone not realizing that it was the money transfer. I turned the cards and the receipts into the Bonneville courthouse in the Courthouse Jury summons box though the scammer told me several times to mail receipts and scratched cards using a number the scammer supplied for postage. At the courthouse now, around 630 scammer said he would come down and talk to me, I waited in the cold outside and after half an hour asked a policeman about what I had done . He listened to the answering machine and told me that was the Idaho Falls police department motto, anybody can set up an official sounding answering machine and I had been scammed. Looking back there were so many clues.

• Calling me through my wife's number
• Not verifying the identity of caller, truth of the claims, and reasonableness of the threat
• Being susceptible to official sounding answering machine
• Acting immediately in fear and haste without thinking about what I was doing giving cash over the phone
• Not heeding the advice of all the store clerks that questioned me
• Not consulting with any outside person or even pausing to consider the need for such haste
• Leaving my phone on and falling for the fear tactic of being traced
• Mailing an envelope of useless cards and receipts but using a bogus number for postage.

Garden City Police / Federal Grand Jury

The Federal Jury Office was notified of a jury scam via phone that occurred today, September 13, 2022.  A male caller identified being with the Garden City Police Department and advised the caller that she had missed Federal Grand Jury. The caller was not able to obtain any information because the victim immediately hung up the phone.  Kudos to her!!  

Detailed Account of Jury Scam Call

The scam call came from (208) 325-0508 at 4:24 p.m. The caller identified himself as Sgt. Charles White with the Sheriff's Office. The caller asked for him by name, knew his current address and advised that a jury summons was mailed in May and that he failed to appear; therefore, the Judge overseeing his case issued a misdemeanor citation. The caller advised that he would need to come down to the Sheriff's office, complete paperwork and pay his citation fee at 1115 Albany St. #137, Caldwell, Idaho which is the address of the Canyon County Courthouse.

He was told that he would need to go before a judge in two weeks to explain everything to her to be cleared. He needed to bring photo I.D. for verification to make sure he did not have any outstanding warrants. They close at 5pm but the lobby stays open until 6:30 p.m. and when he arrived someone in the lobby would assist him.

After seeing the Judge to clear the matter, he would receive a refund of the $260 citation fee. When he left his residence, he needed to call a certain number so they could "monitor" him. The caller was adamant to know when he would be reporting to complete the paperwork. He kept asking if he could come down today. If I called the number and no one answered that his call would be forwarded to another officer who could assist.

THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OR PROVIDE MONEY BY ANY MEANS. AVOID BEING A VICTIM BY SIMPLY HANGING UP THE PHONE. 

Scam Call

A citizen received a late night (11 p.m.) phone call on Sunday, June 19, 2022, from an unknown number by a male caller identifying himself as Leon Carter with the Ada County Sheriff's Office. He informed her of a bench warrant for failing to appear for jury duty. The caller provided a false juror number and did not get to the gist of his scam because she did not allow it. The caller became frustrated and gave her a call back number of 911. It is important to remember that the federal court does not issue bench warrants or ask for any money for failing to appear for jury service. You are reminded, DO NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NEVER GIVE MONEY BY ANY MEANS. 

Blaine County Sheriff's Office

Jury scam call coming from phone (208-268-5001 - Potlatch, ID) from "Charles B. Chapman" "Badge #2014" from Blaine County Sheriff's Office advising of a failure to report for federal jury service and contempt charges. The male caller provided a juror number and referenced Honorable Judge Douglas Kramer. If you fail to cooperate the caller escalates the call to his supervisor, Lieutenant Justin Duma, Badge# 3314. If you question the caller they will assure you that it is serious and legitimate. Do not fall victim to their scam or threats. You can avoid this by simply hanging up the phone. 

Caribou County Sheriff's Office

Scam from a TEXT NOW APP - Phone #: 406-430-0287 - Male caller with a "country" accent claiming to work for the Caribou County Sheriff's Office. The caller phoned a local citizen, referring to her as "Miss" and using her first name. He advised she missed federal jury service, had a warrant for her arrest and threatened to arrest her at her place of employment.
THIS IS A JURY SCAM - PLEASE HANG UP IMMEDIATELY.  Caribou County Sheriff's Office has been notified. 

December 17, 2021 Jury Scam

A male caller with a "cowboy" accent identifying himself as Lt. Sutton called a local citizen advising she had missed Federal Grand Jury and asked if she had received a letter advising same. He had an old address and was off by a few months on her date of birth. He provided the following return phone numbers: 208-268-8240 and 1-844-388-3437. This is a jury scam. PLEASE HANG UP THE PHONE AND DO NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION. 

Targeting Spanish-speakers

Our office is once again warning the public of a jury scam targeting Spanish-speakers (conversations entirely in Spanish) by calling them and telling them that they owe money for a fine because they failed to appear for jury duty.  They can pay the fine by purchasing a gift card and transferring it to the court for payment.  Do Not Make any purchases or provide payment of any kind.  If you receive such a phone call, hang up immediately. 

El Distrito de Idaho anuncia una estafa que involucra a personas que actúan como empleados de la corte tratando de convencer a las personas de que paguen "multas" por no responder al servicio de jurado. Nunca lo llamaremos y amenazaremos con una multa, cualquier acción que implique multas por no presentarse se realizará en una sala del tribunal y nunca por teléfono.

October 25, 2019 Jury Scam

The public has been receiving the following phone calls or voice messages.  This is a JURY SCAM.

"Intending your serious attention, ignoring this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid an initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge or Grand Jury for a Federal criminal offense.  This is the final attempt to reach you.  To resolve this issue immediately, and to speak to a Federal Agent, call back number 913 210 8456, I repeat 913 210 8456."

Our office is once again warning the public of an imposter phone scam where callers are attempting to contact citizens regarding an intentional attempt to avoid an initial appearance before a magistrate judge. The phone number that the call came from was 877-729-1610.  THIS IS A JURY SCAM!  Do not answer or return their phone call. Please see that attached transcription from a voicemail that was left for a local citizen.  

September 2019 Email Jury Scam

A citizen received a jury scam via email from this email:  JuryDuty@donotreply.gov
Subject Line of Email:  Your are summoned for Jury Duty for a Federal Case

The email advises that you have been selected from current tax payers in your county, and that you need to appear within 3 weeks to the Federal Courthouse and requested you bring your drivers license. A case number is provided. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK!!!!

Jury Scam using Social Security Fraud Phone Number

On March 20, 2019, a concerned citizen contacted our office regarding a phone call she had received from 1-800-269-0271 which showed up on her Caller ID. This number belongs to the Social Security Fraud division. The caller advised that this was their "second attempt to reach her regarding grand jury and advised her to call 1-828-367-361 to deal with the situation". The recording on this number was the same message as the 1-800 number but muffled. The Social Security Inspector General has been notified of the possible spoofing of their phone number. 

Jan 25, 2019, Bonneville County Jury Scam

The male caller identified himself as Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Walton.  The caller scared the victim in to thinking that he failed to appear for a federal grand jury proceeding along with 20 others and could clear the matter up by paying the citations that were issued against him. He was instructed to go to Albertsons and purchase a "bond voucher" in the amount of $484.  The caller threatened him that if he ended the call that this would put him in legal jeopardy. THE FEDERAL COURT WILL NEVER THREATEN OR ASK FOR MONEY for missed jury service.  If you do receive a jury scam phone call, please avoid being a target by simply hanging up from the call.  Please report any jury scam phone calls to Sherry Richter, Jury Administrator at 208-334-9476.

January 10, 2019 Jury Scam Phone Calls

The Facts:

• A court will always send a jury summons by U.S. mail and will never demand payment or sensitive information over the telephone.
   
• A prospective juror who disregards a summons will be contacted by the court clerk’s office and may, in certain circumstances, be ordered to appear before a judge.
   
• A fine will never be imposed until after the individual has appeared in court and been given the opportunity to explain a failure to appear.

Jury Scams

9/25/2018:  Our office received a phone call from a target of a jury scam in our Northern Division. The caller posing as Lt. Daniels advised they had a warrant for her arrest for failing to attend federal jury duty. The caller knew her address and work phone number. The phone call originated from 208-242-4666 which has since been disconnected.

9/27/2018:  Our office received another jury scam phone call.  The male caller called from 208-278-8272. The recording advises that you have called the Ada County Jury Commissioner's Office and they request that you leave a message and that an Officer of the Court will call you back.  The U.S. Marshal's Office has been notified to shut this phone number down.

These callers can be very convincing, threatening and intimidating.  Do not provide them any information, hang up the phone, and immediately notify your local County Jury Office and Federal Jury Office to report the scam.

 A court will always send a jury summons by U.S. Mail and will never demand payment or sensitive
 information over the telephone. 

Oct 2017 Jury Scam - Deputy Ryan Jackson

Recount of Jury Scam phone call from the victim:

• The person calling identified himself as Deputy Ryan Jackson with the Federal Marshal's Service;
• He stated that I had been served by certified mail, return receipt signed for on August 8th, 2017 at an address where I had not lived for the past 5 years. The notice advised me to appear for jury service beginning on October 2, 2017.  
• He stated that 2 detainers had been issued, one by Honorable Judge Mikel Williams, and one by Honorable Judge Lynn Winmill.
• He informed me that the detainer information had been sent to all law enforcement agencies (local, state & federal), and if I was stopped for any reason that I would be detained.
• I advised him that I had not lived at that address for more than 5 years. This caused him to pause and say he would have to check with his supervisor about how to get the warrants cancelled, and put me on hold.  The call use mysteriously disconnected. 

The Jury Office for the United States Courts for the District of Idaho will never ask for payment, a credit card or social security number for failure to appear for jury duty.

Please report suspicious activity immediately to your local law enforcement agency.

Citizens of the Treasure Valley are once again being victimized by a phone scam involving federal grand jury duty.  Individuals are contacted by telephone from an imposter posing as an Ada County deputy sheriff demanding payment for failing to appear for federal grand jury service.  The scam artist then demands payment via cash card or green dot card.  After victims purchase the cash cards they are advised to call the imposters back to provide them with the numbers on the back of the card, allowing them to access the money immediately.  Individuals are then directed to complete the transaction at a “bond kiosk” located at the Ada County Courthouse.

According to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, deputies will never threaten citizens for missing jury duty, ask citizens to place funds on pre-paid credit cards or make payments at a courthouse kiosk.  Further, the federal jury office will never threaten citizens for missing jury duty or ask for funds.  If you do legitimately miss jury duty, you will receive a letter in the mail.

The Better Business Bureau advises that citizens can protect themselves from becoming a victim of identity theft by never disclosing personal information from unsolicited telephone callers. 

Please contact the Ada County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 377-6790 or visit the Better Business Bureau online at https://www.bbb.org/snakeriver/.

March 2017 - Jury Scam

EMMETT - Emmett's police chief and mayor are spreading the word that a phone scam that has made the rounds in various parts of the U.S. during the past year or so is targeting Idahoans.

The victims of this jury duty scam get a call from someone calling from what appears to be an Emmett number for the U.S. Marshals Office. The fraudulent number used is 208-398-3917.

The recipient of the call is told that they failed to report for federal jury duty and are threatened with arrest. The victims are told they can avoid being arrested by sending a sizable amount of money as "bail."

Officials said a Genesee couple received one of these calls last week.

The scammers described the layout of the couple's ranch by using Google Earth, then the caller provided a fake story about how the couple left the "original summons" to jury service.  

The couple believed the calls were local because "local-looking" numbers - such as the county sheriff - showed up on their caller ID. The caller also identified themselves as one of the deputies who actually works for the sheriff's office.

After the couple refused to send money, the scammers called the sheriff's office and impersonated the husband. They threatened to shoot any deputy who set foot on the couple's property and tried to arrest them.

The call was determined to be scam, since the couple was on the phone with dispatch when the fraudulent call was made.

Officials ask anyone receiving a call or email about missing jury duty to contact the state or federal court through the information given in the phone book or on the court's website - not the number given by the scammers. 

State nor federal courts don't make threatening phone calls or ask for personal information over the phone when someone misses jury duty.

June 20, 2016 Jury Scam

The District of Idaho has been alerted to two jury scams regarding phone messages from individuals impersonating federal officials and demanding payment of fines via cash cards.  If you receive a phone call from one of these individuals, please contact the Federal Jury Administrator directly at (208) 334-1493 or (800) 448-6172 with any questions or concerns.  These matters are immediately referred to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Scam #1:

Scammer is posing as a US Marshal and providing the name Lt. James McBride.  A direct dial phone of (208) 431-5229 and US Marshal number of (866) 930-9111 are provided.  Caller alleges that victim has a temporary bench warrant for failure to report for Grand Jury service in May 2016, which was reported by a "Ms. Stevens" at the "US Jury Administration".  Victim is directed to go to Rite Aid and purchase three $500 cash cards and to not alert any Rite Aid employees as to the purpose of the purchase of the cards. Upon questioning by victim, scammer was unable to provide any specific case information related to the purported fines. 

Scam #2:

Scammer is posing as an employee of the "Boise, Idaho United States Federal Administration Office" and is providing the name Mr. Nelson.  A phone number of (208) 352-7277 x 30 is provided.  Caller is able to confirm correct address of victim and alleges victim missed jury service in May 2016.   Victim is threatened with arrest if call is not returned.  

It is a crime for an individual to falsely represent himself or herself as a federal official or Deputy United States Marshal. Accordingly, this scam and any similar fraudulent conduct will be investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, in partnership with the FBI.

A number of district courts have reported that citizens in their districts are being targeted by a juror phishing email that asks recipients to provide personal identifiers (SSN, DOB, mother's maiden name, etc). on an attached PDF form and emailed back to the originator.  This scam differs from previous incidents in its use of "eJUROR" as the source of the email and its attempt to obtain personal identifiers.

The District of Idaho does not request any personal information over the phone or via email.  Requests by our court to complete qualification questionnaire(s) is initiated by formal written correspondence (jury summons) which provides written instruction for the juror participant on how to fill their questionnaire(s) out online using our secure website of www.id.uscourts.gov

Citizens receiving these emails can defend yourself by simply not responding and contacting the Federal Jury Administrator for the  District of Idaho at 208-334-1493 or 1-800-448-6172.  These matters will be turned over to the United States Marshal's Office.

Example of the email that is being sent out:

From: "eJuror Program"
Date: July 30, 2014 at 7:53:51 AM EDT
To: 
Subject: eJuror Program
Reply-To: "eJuror Program"

Dear Prospective Juror 0150,

It is the policy of the United States that all litigants in Federal
courts entitled to trial by jury shall have the right to grand and
petit juries selected at random from a fair cross section of the
community in the district or division wherein the court convenes. It
is further the policy of the United States that all citizens shall
have the opportunity to be considered for service on grand and petit
juries in the district courts of the United States, and shall have an
obligation to serve as jurors when summoned for that purpose.

As an American citizen, it is your civic duty to respond to a jury
Summons and, if chosen, to serve as a juror. You have officially been
invited so.

Click here to fill out the eJury Duty Form now.

Sincerely,

National eJuror Program