Michigan, Iowa, Alabama report rising jury duty scams

Across multiple states, including Michigan and Iowa, officials are warning residents about a surge in jury duty-related scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to intimidate individuals into paying fines for alleged missed jury duty. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel highlighted that such scams involve calls claiming that individuals must post bond immediately, which is not how official notifications are handled. Similar warnings have been issued by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, both emphasizing that no government agency will request payment over the phone. Scammers often use fear tactics, threatening arrest or fines to coerce victims into compliance. Authorities advise residents to verify phone numbers independently and report suspicious calls to their offices. Overall, the message is clear: if you receive a call claiming to be from a government agency demanding money, it is likely a scam.