CT Issues Alert For Jury Duty Scam

CONNECTICUT — State officials on Tuesday warned residents about scammers posing as judicial marshals and demanding money from people for missing jury duty.

Attorney General William Tong, Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull and the Connecticut Judicial Branch issued an alert, saying callers are demanding immediate fine payments to avoid arrest.

"Legitimate officials will never call and demand immediate payment of jury duty fines. Don’t be fooled," Tong said in a statement. "Jury duty remains one of our most important civic responsibilities and I urge every eligible person to fulfill that service. However, Judicial Branch officials certainly won't call and threaten arrest for missing jury duty."

Connecticut judicial marshals are prohibited from contacting people by telephone about jury duty and enforcing the law relating to people who miss jury duty. Penalties for missing jury duty are civil.

"This is just another scam tactic used to frighten people into giving up valuable personal information or money," Seagull said in a statement. "If you receive a threatening phone call from someone claiming to be with a government agency, hang up and report the scam to local authorities. A government agency will never call and threaten to arrest or fine you if you miss jury duty."

People contacted by the scammers are asked to report it to their local police department.