Dept. of Justice warns of jury summons, cash bond scams

CONCORD — The Department of Justice is warning of two scams targeting residents of the Granite State. 

The first scam is a jury summons scam aimed at obtaining New Hampshire residents’ personal identifying information and a payment of a fine. The second scam is a cash bond scam aimed at receiving virtual currency deposits from victims, according to a press release sent U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young and U.S. Marshal William Hart.

The reported phone fraudsters in the jury summons scam represent themselves to be a U.S. Marshal or a state or local law enforcement officer, claiming to be contacting residents who did not comply with a jury summons. They request a return call in an effort to obtain personal identifying information and/or threaten to arrest an individual if a fine is not paid.

In the cash bond scam, fraudsters call people informing them of fake pending criminal charges and directing them to pay bail money using public virtual currency machines or kiosks.

“Fraudsters are always finding new ways to exploit our fears and obligations,” said Young in the press release. “While jury duty is one of our most fundamental civic duties, the court does not use law enforcement officers to arrest potential jurors. Additionally, the government will never ask you to pay fines or taxes by phone or via a virtual currency machine. Please protect yourselves — be cautious when giving out your personal identifying information.”

“The U.S. Marshals Service will never request your personal information by phone. Be on guard with your personal information if you don’t know who is calling. Don’t give it to anyone,” said Hart in the press release. “Please know it is OK to ask for a phone number and complete independent research to confirm the phone number, by contacting the authorities.”

Residents who receive a jury summons or bail payment scam call should notify the clerk’s office at the U.S. District Court in New Hampshire by calling 603-225-1423 or emailing daniel_lynch@nhd.uscourts.gov.