SJPD warns of jury duty scam calls

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The St. Joseph Police Department issued a social media statement via Facebook, warning of ongoing jury duty phone scams.

The department said scammers may call and claim the recipient has missed jury duty and may owe fines or face arrest.

The scammers often pressure victims to pay immediately using gift cards, prepaid cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

The department said courts and law enforcement will not call to demand payment or threaten with arrest over the phone for jury duty.

Legitimate jury notices are sent by mail and not by phone or text.

Residents who receive calls like this are encouraged to hang up immediately, not send money or share any personal information and report the call to local law enforcement.

SJPD said to contact its non-emergency line by calling 816-271-4777 or report online at www.stjosephmo.gov/597/Online-Crime-Reporting.