DENVER — Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is warning residents across the state to be vigilant as reports of jury duty-related scams are on the rise.
While jury duty scams are not new, Weiser’s office notes that local law enforcement agencies have reported a recent surge in the tactic, where scammers impersonate police officers or court officials to intimidate victims into paying fake fines or surrendering personal information.
“I have great appreciation and respect for those who serve on juries, and it’s very troubling to see scammers weaponize jury duty as a tool for fraud,” said Attorney General Weiser. “Coloradans need to know that no law enforcement agency or court will ever call, text, or email you about jury duty.”
Weiser urged residents of Colorado to confirm any dubious communications by directly contacting their county court using the official number found on its website. He also advised victims and witnesses of such scams to report them at StopFraudColorado.gov.
How the Scam Operates
The usual scam involves calls, texts, or emails asserting that the target has missed a jury summons and now faces fines or legal repercussions. Scammers frequently impersonate law enforcement officers, court officials, or government employees and employ urgent or threatening language to pressure victims into immediate payment.
Common strategies include:
- Demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash, or peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or Zelle
- Pressuring victims to act right away or remain on the line
- Requesting sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or banking details
While failing to attend jury duty can have real consequences, courts only communicate through official mail, never via phone, email, or text.
Recommended Actions:
- Do not engage with the caller or sender.
- Never share personal or financial information with an unknown or unsolicited contact.
- Report scams at StopFraudColorado.gov or reach out to local law enforcement.
- Verify any claims by calling your county court directly using a trusted phone number.
Attorney General Weiser emphasized that safeguarding Coloradans from scams is a top priority, and his office will persist in monitoring and combating fraudulent schemes aimed at the public.
