Attorney General's News Release

November 21, 2005

Nixon, Office of State Courts Administrator warn Missourians of "jury duty" identity theft scam

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon and the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA) today warned Missourians that bogus calls are circulating from individuals posing as officers of state and federal courts in an attempt to steal personal information that can be used for identity theft.

Several states have reported the emergence of the scam, including Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Typically, the scammer will call an individual claiming they work with a federal or state court and will inform the intended victim that he or she failed to show up for jury duty. After threatening arrest, the caller will then ask for confidential information — such as a Social Security number, date of birth and credit card number — which they will then use to make purchases, obtain cash, raid bank accounts or even take out loans.

"These individuals are using the old 'phishing' scam, but this one has the new element of fraudulently threatening the intended victim with arrest," Nixon said. "Missourians need to remember, never give out personal financial information to people you don't know. Legitimate organizations will never ask for it."

According to Mike Buenger, state court administrator for OSCA, courts usually contact potential jurors by mail — not by telephone. Courts that issue notice for jury duty do not ask — nor do they need — to obtain an individual's Social Security number or credit card number.

"It is a very disturbing and outrageous development to see that people are hijacking our jury system and preying on the civic duty of citizens to engage in fraud and theft," Buenger said.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of this scam should contact their local authorities and the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222.

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Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818