Jury duty scam targets NC residents, AG says. Here’s how to protect yourself
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- NC officials warn of jury scams involving fake fines and threats of arrest.
- Legitimate jury summons arrive by mail; courts never demand money by phone.
- Excusal from jury duty requires compelling reason and court approval process.
Jury duty is a civil obligation, and many of us will be called to serve at least once in our lives. But how can you tell if a summons is legit?
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson on Wednesday, Sept. 3, urged residents to beware of jury duty scams making the rounds in Mecklenburg County.
Jackson pointed to an uptick in reports of fraudsters posing as Mecklenburg County sheriff’s deputies and claiming the person missed jury duty. They then demand you pay a fine — or face jail time.
“This is a classic scam tactic. But it works because it’s scary to get a call from someone who says you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay a fine,” the attorney general said. “Please don’t fall for it, and please warn your family members about these calls.”
In North Carolina, jury summons are typically printed and mailed, according to the state’s judicial branch. More importantly, the court, sheriff’s office and other law enforcement will never call or email to request money, Social Security numbers and other sensitive information.
Even if you miss jury service, you can’t be fined via email or phone, officials said.
How to spot a jury duty scam
Anyone can fall victim to a juror scam. Here are some red flags officials say you should watch out for:
- Calls from “law enforcement” demanding payment in lieu of arrest.
- The caller may have personal information about you to seem more legitimate. Much of that information is publicly available, however, so don’t be fooled, officials said.
- If the caller asks you to pay in gift cards or cryptocurrency, its likely a scam.
“If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and report it,” Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said. “Protect yourself, protect your information, and when in doubt, verify before you trust.”
Jury duty scams and other fraud can be reported to the NC Department of Justice by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. Complaints can also be filed online here.
What’s the penalty for missing jury duty in NC?
If you’re called to serve, an official summons will arrive in the mail with details on the date, time and place to report for jury duty, state officials say. Skipping without a valid excuse could land you in hot water, however.
In North Carolina, you could be held in contempt of court, according to the state’s judicial website. You may also be fined $50 for every time you’re due in court and don’t show up, officials said.
Who can be excused from jury service in NC?
While jury service is considered a “solemn obligation of all qualified citizens” under North Carolina law, certain exceptions can be made if you can’t make it.
Procedures for excusing or deferring jury duty differs by county, according to the state’s judicial website. Generally, you will need to contact the clerk of superior court office or the chief district court judge’s office with “a compelling reason” for why you’re unable to serve.
You can also ask to be excused, deferred or exempted if you are :
- A full-time student attending school out of state
- 72 years or older
- Have a disability that could impact your ability to serve as a juror
“At any age, if you have a disability that prevents proper service, you can request to be excused as well,” Carl Nagle, an attorney with Nagle & Associates in Winston-Salem told The Charlotte Observer.
“Thus, for a person on dialysis who might be in their 50s or 60s, their personal health needs allow them to avoid serving,” he said.
This story was originally published September 5, 2025 at 9:45 AM.