A new scam is targeting individuals by falsely claiming they have missed jury duty in an attempt to steal money and personal information. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) warns that scammers are impersonating law enforcement officials, contacting victims via phone or email, and demanding payment to avoid fines, court appearances, or even jail time. Authorities explain that scammers exploit the fear of legal consequences to pressure individuals into compliance. DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli emphasized the importance of jury duty but urged citizens not to fall victim to fraudsters using it as a pretext for scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), losses from government imposter scams rose from $171 million in 2023 to $789 million in 2024. Warning signs of a scam include unsolicited messages demanding immediate action, requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or PayPal, and threats of legal consequences. Scammers also attempt to create urgency and may ask for sensitive personal details such as Social Security numbers or birth dates. The DCP reminds residents that courts do not communicate with jurors via phone, text, or email.
