FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
Warning: Fraudulent Phone Calls Regarding Jury Service Resurface in the District of New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico has recently been notified of several individuals targeted with new jury phone and mail scams. The targets have been told a warrant is out for their arrest for missing jury service, and that payment can be made to quash the warrant. The scam callers are becoming more sophisticated. For example, official court phone numbers and names of actual judges have been used in these latest scams. Scams by mail have also been reported and may appear equally legitimate.
The U.S. District Court will never assess a fine or penalty for failing to appear for jury service without first having the person appear before a judge. Any document received through the mail requesting that cash, Moneypack, Green Dot card or similar be provided to secure a bond for failure to appear for jury service is fraudulent. In such cases, please retain the envelope and contents, and file a Mail Fraud Complaint with the United States Postal Service.
It is a crime for anyone to falsely represent himself or herself as a federal court official and such an offense is taken very seriously by the federal judiciary. Persons receiving such a telephone call should not provide the requested information or pay any fines, and should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at (505) 889-1300, selecting option #1 when prompted, to report the incident. In the District of New Mexico, the individual may also contact the United States District Court at 505-348-2000 to verify that there are no matters pending before the court in their name.
Stay current with the United States Courts - District of New Mexico by visiting www.nmd.uscourts.gov
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