The FTC says scammers use fear-based messages about missed jury duty to force payment through hard-to-reverse methods. Victims are often instructed to pay using payment apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers rather than legitimate court processes.

According to the FTC Consumer Alert, scammers behind the “missed jury duty” scheme use urgent, fear-driven contact to prompt immediate payment. After an initial call claiming you missed jury service, the fraudsters send follow-up texts and emails that include counterfeit, warrant-style documents. The intent is to make recipients believe they are being pursued through official channels and that delaying will result in arrest. The FTC emphasizes the payment mechanism as a major warning sign. Real law enforcement actions and court processes do not work through threatening texts, emails, or phone calls that demand payment on the spot. In many cases described by the FTC, scammers push victims to send money using routes that are difficult to trace or reverse—such as payment apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. This setup combines psychological pressure with financial tactics designed to end the victim’s ability to verify information. The alert also notes that scammers may appear more convincing by referencing legal terminology and attaching “official-looking” paperwork. The safest approach described by the FTC is to disregard the threats, avoid any payment, and independently verify any supposed court or law enforcement communication using official resources—not the contact information provided in the scam messages.