We have written about this scam in our consumer encyclopedia. Now, federal authorities are sounding the alarm again.

The ruse is this: you get a call from someone who claims to be from the county courthouse and says you didn't show up for jury duty. You'll soon be under arrest. So you get scared enough, plead for them to believe that you're innocent... and answer all their questions. Like, "what's your Social Security number?" It's an attempt at ID theft. Ignore it and tell all your friends.