North Carolina courts, retailers launch campaign warning of jury duty scams

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Judicial Branch and the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association are launching a statewide awareness campaign aimed at helping people recognize scams involving fake court payments and jury duty threats.

The campaign comes amid reports of scammers impersonating court officials, law enforcement officers and government agencies. In many cases, victims are told they owe court costs, bail or penalties for missing jury duty and are threatened with arrest unless they pay immediately.

The Judicial Branch says it will not require payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers directed by a caller, peer-to-peer payment apps, ATM cash deposits or money-transfer services requested over the phone.

“Scammers are growing increasingly sophisticated at impersonating government institutions,” Ryan S. Boyce, director of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, said in a statement. “Public awareness of how to verify official court information is an important tool to fight back.”

As part of the effort, fraud-prevention materials are being distributed to retail locations across North Carolina. The materials direct consumers to NCCourts.gov, where they can verify court cases, payment obligations and official courthouse contact information.

Officials recommend that anyone receiving an urgent demand for a court-related payment stop before sending money and independently verify the claim.

People should not rely on a phone number, website, payment link or other contact information provided by the person demanding payment. Instead, consumers can search for a case through the Judicial Branch’s online portal or contact the courthouse directly, particularly if the request involves a jury summons or missed jury duty.

Legitimate court payments can also be made through the clerk of superior court’s office at a local courthouse.

The awareness campaign is part of the Judicial Branch’s “Justice for All | Access for You” initiative.