HOW THE SCAM WORKS
Jury duty warrant scams are becoming a very popular way for fraudsters to steal victims’ cash. It usually starts with a phone call from an imposter claiming to be a deputy sheriff or police officer. Speaking in a very official and urgent tone, the imposter tells the victim that a warrant has been issued for their arrest for failing to appear at the courthouse for jury duty. They threaten the victim with immediate arrest unless they pay thousands in cash for a bond. The scammer instructs the victim to call him back as soon as they return home from the bank with the cash.
The scammer confirms the victim’s home address and advises that another deputy sheriff will be arriving shortly to pick up the cash for the bond. The second imposter arrives right on time, takes the envelope containing the cash, and hands the victim a bogus document purporting to be an order canceling the warrant. By the time the victim figures out that they’ve been scammed, it’s too late and their cash is gone.
In some cases, the victim is told to purchase virtual currency at a Bitcoin ATM kiosk and send it to a third-party wallet using a QR code provided by the deputy sheriff imposter.
PROTECT YOURSELF
If someone claiming to be a deputy sheriff or a police officer calls you saying they have a warrant for your immediate arrest, and that the only way you can avoid going to jail is to give them cash or cryptocurrency for a bond, hang up! A real deputy sheriff or police officer would never approach someone for whom they have a genuine arrest warrant in such a manner.
After you hang up, jot down the impersonator’s caller ID information and submit a complaint with your telephone carrier. Don’t be surprised if the caller ID says “Sheriff’s Department” with the actual phone number of the Sheriff. Scammers are experts in spoofing (or mimicking) real telephone numbers and caller ID information to make you believe the call is legit.
REPORT FRAUD
If you believe you are the victim of a jury warrant scam, contact the DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at 202.727.8000. You can also contact the Metropolitan Police Department Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202.727.4159 or [email protected]. It is important to attend jury duty if summoned. If you have missed your summons or deferral date, please contact the DC Juror Office at 202.879.4604.
DISB Mission
Our mission is three-fold: (1) cultivate a regulatory environment that protects consumers and attracts and retains financial services firms to the District; (2) empower and educate residents and (3) support the development and expansion of business.