The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office recently warned residents about a phone scam that uses fear of arrest to pressure people into paying money they don’t owe.
According to the sheriff’s office, the callers tell people they missed a jury duty summons and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Then they demand that a fine be paid immediately. The sheriff’s office said it continues to receive reports of the calls and that the claims are false.
“Law enforcement will never call anyone demanding any payment, wire transfers, or gift cards to cancel a warrant or fine,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.
The sheriff’s office said a legal summons is always handled in person and never by phone. Anyone who gets one of these calls should hang up.
A scam that sounds official
The jury duty scam isn’t new, but it has become more convincing. In 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida reported a surge in fraudulent jury duty calls. According to federal officials, the callers pretended to be U.S. marshals or other government officials. They often had the victim’s address and birth date, used the names of real judges and court addresses, and “spoofed” their caller ID so the call looked like it came from a real court phone number.
“If someone calls and threatens you to pay them to not be arrested for missing federal jury duty, you are being scammed,” then-U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg said at the time.
Victims are usually told to buy prepaid debit cards or gift cards, or to send money through apps such as Venmo or Zelle, by wire transfer or in cryptocurrency. Once the money is sent, it is very hard to get back.
Seniors are a frequent target
Scams like this one hit older residents especially hard. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, people 60 and older reported more than $7.7 billion in losses last year, about 60% more than in 2024. Americans of all ages reported more than $20.9 billion in internet crime losses.
The Federal Trade Commission separately reported that consumers lost a record $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025.
How the courts actually contact you
Knowing how real jury service works is one of the best defenses. According to the Middle District of Florida:
—The court always sends a jury summons by U.S. mail.
—If someone ignores a summons, the clerk’s office follows up by mail or email, not with a threatening phone call.
—Any court order to appear is always in writing and signed by a judge.
—Fines are imposed only after a person appears in court.
—Neither the court nor law enforcement will demand payment over the phone or by email, or ask for gift card numbers, Zelle, Venmo or cryptocurrency.
“Courts never ask for immediate payment over the phone,” the FTC said in a 2024 consumer alert. “In fact, no government agency will do that.”
Warning signs
The FTC and the Florida Attorney General’s Office list several red flags:
—A caller threatens you with arrest or jail unless you pay right away.
—You are told to pay with gift cards, prepaid cards, a payment app, a wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
—The caller asks for your Social Security number or bank information.
—The caller gives you a badge number, case number or “warrant” to make the threat seem real.
—Caller ID shows a court or law enforcement agency. Caller ID can be faked.
What to do
If you get one of these calls, hang up. Don’t give out personal or financial information, and don’t call back a number the caller gives you.
If you’re worried that you really missed jury duty, look up the court clerk’s phone number yourself and call to check. For questions about the call, residents can reach the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office at 904-966-6161 and ask for a deputy.
Family members can help too. Talk with older parents, grandparents and neighbors about the scam. Tell them that a real court or police officer will never ask for gift cards.
People who have already sent money should report it right away to their bank or the card company, and to local law enforcement.
Other agencies for report
Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
Florida Attorney General’s fraud hotline: 1-866-966-7226 (1-866-9NO-SCAM) or MyFloridaLegal.com
National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This U.S. Department of Justice hotline helps people 60 and older and their families.
AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360. It is free and open to anyone, whether or not they’re an AARP member.
