How to Avoid the Jury Duty Scam

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The jury duty scam is usually an identity theft, althoughscammers can also use it to steal money as well.
It startswhen the scammers use the phone to ring people and thenthey try and get them to reveal their birth date, SocialSecurity number, and credit card numbers by using fear. The jury duty scam is predominantly an identity theft,although it can also be an opportunity to steal money aswell.
The scammers use the phone to ring people to try and getthem to reveal their birth date, Social Security number,and credit card numbers - as well as possibly otherpersonal information. The jury duty scam has been very successful because it usesfear by stating that you have failed to report for juryduty and there is a warrant for your arrest.
Most peopleare shocked when they hear this. They don't considerthemselves a criminal and want it sorted out quickly.
Facing the unexpected threat of arrest catches most peopleoff guard. The scammer, of course, can sort it out once youverify who you are and possibly pay a fine to make thematter go away.  How Does the Jury Duty Scam Work? Your phone rings and when you answer it, the person on theother end says they are an officer of the court.
They saythat you have failed to report for jury duty and a warrantis out for your arrest. Despite you telling them you neverreceived a notice, they advise that one was sent andreiterate the seriousness of the matter.
To try and clear it up, the caller will ask for someinformation for verification purposes that will includeyour full name, date of birth and Social Security number.They now have all the information they need for identitytheft. The caller may then state that you can avoid being arrestedif you pay an instant fine.
To do that you will need toprovide them with your credit card details. This providesthem another opportunity to use your personal informationfor fraudulent purposes.
The jury duty scam is a simple one - scare you first, thenthe scammer provides a solution in the form of identityverification and a fine. Advice to Avoid a Jury Duty Scam Remember that court officers never ask for personal orconfidential information over the phone.
Courts normallyfollow up with potential jurors and no-show jurors by mail. Never give out personal information when you receive anunsolicited phone call.
Warnings about the jury duty scamhave been posted on the FBI website, and the U.S. CourtsWebsites posted the message below: In various parts of the United States, citizens are beingtargeted by phone calls and threatened with prosecution forfailing to comply with jury service in federal or statecourts.
In the calls, the threat of a fine for shirking juryservice is used to coerce those called into providingconfidential data, potentially leading to identity theftand fraud. These calls are not from real court officials.
Federal courts do not require anyone to provide anysensitive information in a telephone call. Most contactbetween a federal court and a prospective juror will bethrough the U.S.
Mail, and any phone contact by real courtofficials will not include requests for social securitynumbers, credit card numbers, or any other sensitiveinformation. If you are unsure about a telephone call, ask for thecaller's name and organization's or department's detailsand then hang up.
Find a legitimate contact number for theorganization using a telephone directory or other means[Don't use a contact number provided by the caller] andthen call the organization and ask to speak to the originalcaller by name. Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com .