In the communications, recipients are pressured to provide confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. The scammers threaten recipients with fines and jail time if they do not comply. These communications are fraudulent and are not connected with the U.S. courts. The scammer may pose as judiciary officials and scammers target potential jurors, parties, and others by trying to collect personal information and/or money, and threatening fines, prison time or other penalties if they fail to comply with certain demands.

Persons receiving such a telephone call or email should not provide the requested information and should immediately notify law enforcement (e.g. Springfield FBI Office - 217-522-9675).  You may also want to contact the U.S. District Clerk’s Office (217) 492-4020, as well as the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.

• Federal courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a telephone call or email. 
• Most contact between a federal court and a prospective juror will be through the U.S. mail, and any phone or email contact by real court officials will not include requests for any sensitive information. 
• Jury duty is a vital civic responsibility and should be taken seriously by all citizens. However, it is a crime for anyone to falsely represent themself as a federal court official. The federal Judiciary takes such offenses seriously.