Warning: Jury Duty Identity Theft Scam
Court officials for the Federal and District of Columbia courts are warning citizens of an identity theft scam. Bogus calls are made by individuals claiming to be court officials, requesting confidential information, and threatening citizens with prosecution. The individual claims that a warrant is out for the citizen's arrest for failure to report for grand jury duty, then proceeds to ask for confidential information.
According to Dick Carelli, a spokesman for the federal court system, "Nobody from the District Court should be calling for jury duty. That's all done through the mail." He advises that anyone who receives such a call should hang up, then call the FBI or the courts.
Contact DC Courts for verfication of jury duty either through the DC Courts website or by calling 202-879-4604 or 202-879-1604.
District of Columbia main office: 202-354-3000.
Virginia Eastern District Court: 703-299-2100.
Maryland District Court Greenbelt Divisional Office: 301-344-0660.
