Ignore Phony Jury Duty Calls, Oakland County Sheriff Says

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Oakland County officials warned residents Tuesday to hang up if they receive a call threatening their arrest because they supposedly didn’t show up for jury service.

The sheriff's office reminded residents after officials said at least two people were scammed out of $900, and earlier victims were told they must pay as much as $5,000 to avoid arrest over the past three weeks.

"If anyone calls and demands money over the phone, it is a scam!" Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "Just hang up. Sadly, we’re seeing an uptick in how many people are being hit with these phony phone calls. We will never demand immediate payment over the phone. Ever. Just hang up."

In the call, officials said a phony law enforcement person will make a bogus claim that there is an arrest warrant out because you didn’t appear for jury duty in either federal or state court.

The phony official, who often uses the name of a person who is a deputy or commander in the sheriff’s office, will then demand you pay a $900 cash bond (either bitcoin or gift cards) to avoid being picked up and placed in jail, officials said.

Representatives from both the U.S. District Court Eastern Michigan District in Detroit and Oakland County Circuit Court said delinquent jurors would be contacted by mail, never by phone.

Moreover, the Sheriff’s Office and the courts do not accept bitcoin or gift cards for cash bonds.