Jury Duty Scam Expands to Email and Text

A widespread jury duty scam is targeting victims through phone calls, emails, or texts, where scammers impersonate law enforcement to demand payments or personal information under the pretense of missed jury duty. Victims have been coerced into paying large sums, often through cryptocurrency, as seen in a recent case where a Pittsburgh resident lost $8,550 in bitcoin. The Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement stress that official entities never request payments or personal details over the phone or through electronic means. Citizens are advised to ignore such communications and directly contact the court or sheriff's office for verification. This scam persists due to its ability to exploit fear of legal consequences, with variations including identity theft and malware distribution. Authorities continue to investigate these cases, urging the public to report any suspicious interactions.