Monterey Court wants to spread word about “jury duty scam”

The Superior Court of Monterey is now warning about a telephone scam designed to prey on the most conscientious and vulnerable within our community.

Central Coast News has reported before that Monterey County residents receive a call claiming a warrant was issued for their arrested because they failed to appear for jury service. In reported incidents the caller has identified themselves as a representative of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Court employees immediately reported this scam to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office which is currently investigating this unauthorized and fraudulent activity.

The court says these calls have no connection to the Monterey County Superior Court or Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone receiving a call similar to the scenario described is encouraged to immediately hang up and call your local law enforcement agency and report it as a crime.

The court wants everyone to know that its personnel will not ask past, current, or prospective jurors for information regarding credit card numbers, bank account information, or Social Security numbers. Residents should not provide this type of information to anyone claiming to be associated with the Superior Court or Sheriff’s Office.

Additional information related to similar juror telephone scams is provided on the FBI’s public website here.