Hunterdon County Warns Residents Of Jury Duty Scam

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ —The Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which callers impersonate Sheriff’s Office personnel and falsely claim that residents have missed showing up for a hearing where they were supposed to testify as an expert witness.

The Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of these fraudulent calls. In several cases, scammers have told residents they must pay fines immediately to avoid arrest. In one reported incident, a resident was told they owed $10,000, for Failure to Appear, Contempt of Court and Avoiding a Civic Duty.

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The caller used the actual names of Officers, and the caller ID listed the Sheriff’s Office phone number.

Fortunately, the caller hung up and called the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Fred Brown urged residents to remain cautious when receiving unsolicited phone calls involving threats, fines, or urgent payment demands.

“These scammers are sophisticated and intentionally create fear and urgency to pressure residents into making quick decisions,” said Sheriff Brown. “No legitimate law enforcement agency or court official will ever demand payment over the phone, request gift cards, or threaten immediate arrest for failing to comply. If something feels
suspicious, hang up and contact your local police department or our office directly.”

The Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that legitimate law enforcement agencies and court officials will never demand payment over the phone, request gift cards, or ask for personal information, account access, or immediate financial transactions.

Residents who receive similar calls or messages should:

• Not respond to the caller or message
• Do not provide personal or financial information
• Do not click links or scan QR codes
• Delete suspicious messages immediately
• Report suspected scam attempts to your local police department

The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to remain vigilant and to share this information with family, friends, and
neighbors, particularly seniors and vulnerable residents, to help prevent others from becoming victims.