Courts warn of jury-related id theft scam

AOC Warns Jurors of Identity Theft Scam

SAN FRANCISCO--The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has seen a recent resurgence of a juror identity theft scam. In response, California, joining more than a dozen other states, is issuing public warnings about telephone calls from people posing as court officials asking for personal and financial information.

Scammers contact Californians claiming to be with a court and threatening citizens with arrest for failing to comply with jury service. This scam is an attempt to steal or use your identity and potentially apply for credit cards, apply for loans, or empty bank accounts to defraud you.

The AOC and staff of the superior courts will never ask the public--whether past or prospective jurors--for financial details, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or other personal information such as social security number and date of birth. Do not provide this type of information to anyone claiming to be associated with the courts.

In 2007, jury offices across the state mailed more than 10 million jury summonses. The summons includes details about time and location to report for jury duty, including a telephone number and Web site address for the local jury office, for anyone wishing to contact the court about the summons.

Official court personnel may contact prospective jurors by telephone but will not request personal information. If you receive a telephone call, e-mail, or other form of communication, from someone identifying him- or herself as a court employee and requesting financial information or a social security number, immediately contact the fraud unit of your local police department and the jury service office of your local court.

For more information about the jury scam, go to the California Courts Web site at www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jury/scamalert.htm. For jury information see www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jury/index.htm.