Beware of fake jury duty

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation

There is a new telephone scam that authorities are warning Oregonians about.  It is about scammers posing as the Department of Justice and asking people about jury duty.

The Justice Department reports, “The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) is reporting that Oregonians are once again being targeted by fraudulent phone calls, emails, or texts threatening them with fines, prosecution, or jail time for failing to comply with jury service. According to the OJD, the most recent reports are from the Willamette Valley, but it is likely that other areas may be targeted as well. In these calls, emails, or texts, recipients are pressured to provide confidential data such as bank account information, credit card numbers, date of birth, or social security numbers, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. These fraudulent calls or messages – which threaten recipients with fines and jail time if they do not comply – are not connected with the state or federal courts.”

The seriousness and novelty of this scam is what makes it more successful than previous scams.   This is why it is good to spread the word.