Phone scams · 4 min read

Missed jury duty and arrest warrant scam calls

Short answer

A caller claiming to be a U.S. Marshal or deputy says you missed jury duty and a warrant will be served unless you pay a fine now, often by Bitcoin ATM, gift card or payment app. Courts do not collect fines by phone, and warrants are not served by text or email.

What the agencies say

  • The FTC warned about this script in March 2025 and again in June 2026, including fake warrants sent by text or email (FTC).
  • Federal courts note that fines for missing jury duty are set by a judge in open court, and that valid arrest warrants are served in person, never electronically (W.D. Wash.).
  • Scammers use real officials' names, badge numbers and courthouse addresses, and spoof government phone numbers.
Look up the number that contacted you

Carrier, line type and location are free. Private: nobody is notified.

What to do

  1. Hang up. Do not pay or share personal information.
  2. Call the court clerk using the number on the court's official website (find your state's courts in our state guides).
  3. Report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your local FBI field office.

Questions

Can I be arrested over the phone for missing jury duty?

No. Courts handle missed jury service through the clerk and a judge; nobody collects a fine by phone.

They knew my address and a real judge's name. Is it real?

Scammers use public information to sound official. Call the court yourself to check.

Who is behind that number?

Search a name, phone number or email to see public profiles and records.

Sources

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Published 2026-10-28 by the TrueSearch Safety Team. General information, not legal advice. In an emergency call 911.

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