Jury Scam Alert: Don't Provide Personal or Financial Information Over the Phone

Scams in neighboring counties are targeting residents by impersonating court personnel or law enforcement and asking for personal and financial information.

Oakland, Calif. – December 5, 2024 – The Superior Court of Alameda County is reminding residents not to provide personal or financial information to individuals claiming to be representatives of the Court or law enforcement agencies who are contacting them in relation to jury duty.

The Court was made aware of sophisticated scams in neighboring counties where scammers present themselves as government agents and seek personal and financial information from residents under the guise of a jury or grand jury service. Scammers have claimed that individuals missed their jury duty date and owe the court a fee for the missed appearance.

To be clear, the Superior Court of Alameda County will never contact a resident over the phone to seek personal or financial information and California law does not permit residents to pay a fine in lieu of jury service. A fee may be assessed for missed service, but a resident would still be required to reschedule jury service, and the Court or law enforcement agency would never collect the fee via a phone call.

The Court will never ask for information such as your social security number, date of birth or any financial details.

While the Court is not aware of any ongoing scams in Alameda County, it felt it was prudent to alert residents and remind everyone to remain cautious of unsolicited telephone calls. If in doubt about a phone call, hang up and contact the Court separately to seek additional information.

Information about jury duty and contact information can be found on the Court’s website at: www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/general-information/jury-service

Contact:
Paul T. Rosynsky
Public Information Officer
prosynsky@alameda.courts.ca.gov

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