The San Diego Superior Court is issuing a renewed warning about convincing scams trying to take advantage of members of the public.

In the most recent example, scammers call individuals stating that they failed to appear for jury duty and that they would be arrested. The individuals are instructed to report to official locations including courthouses or an address that was previously but is not currently a Superior Court location.

The scammers are quick to adjust their tactics on the phone and appear credible by reading back the address of the person with whom they are speaking, adding urgency by telling individuals that law enforcement would come to their home address, or adding confusion by saying that previously served jury duty was for federal court and the missed summons were for the state superior court, or vice versa.

In other examples, scammers inform individuals about specific dollar amount fines they must pay to avoid arrest (“failure to appear” fine or “contempt of court” fee) with instructions to go to a convenience store to get a money order and meet someone outside the courthouse. Scammers may identify themselves as a court clerk and tell individuals that they have an outstanding warrant fine that will need to be paid in cash, but that they should meet a court clerk at a kiosk in the courthouse to hand over the money.

“We want the public to know that the Court does not make telephone calls to ask for money or threaten arrest,” said Michael Roddy, San Diego Superior Court Executive Officer. “Legitimate Court matters are handled via written notices, not with strong-armed intimidation over the phone. Additionally, real fines or fees can be paid in cash, check, or credit card at the business offices, checks or credit card authorizations can be mailed in, and many payments can be made online, too. Court staff will not insist on cash, gift card, or money order payments.” 

The public should be wary of calls from people identifying themselves as court staff or insisting that they will be arrested because of missed jury duty. Those who receive such a phone call should hang up and if the scammer persists, contact local law enforcement.