Beware the “Jury Duty Scam” That’s Now Hitting Illinois Residents
Before we even start on what the "Jury Duty Scam" is and how it's very effective in tricking victims, I should point out that forgetting you had jury duty is something that happens all the time.
I received a jury duty summons back in September...and then completely spaced out on it until late last month when it occurred to me that I was supposed to have had jury duty...but didn't go in for it. Was I a bit worried about getting into trouble? Yes.
Have I gotten in trouble? No. However, I promise to be more diligent next time and actually show up when I'm supposed to, so I can avoid the potential problems that can come with avoiding jury duty.
The Jury Duty Scam Works Because People Are Afraid Of What Will Happen If They Miss Jury Duty, Even By Accident (like me)
In recent weeks, south‑suburban Chicago communities have seen a surge of this nasty scam targeting residents’ fear of legal trouble.
According to Patch.com, a Palos Park resident received a text message claiming a bench warrant had been issued because she allegedly skipped jury duty. The message demanded a cash bond of $2,000‑$7,000 to avoid arrest.
Thankfully, she didn’t fall for it and visited the local police station instead, learning the warning was a scam. The texter had used an 847 area code and falsely claimed affiliation with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
The Jury Duty Scam Is Not A Little Scam That's Only Been Tried In One Spot In Illinois
This scam is part of a wider pattern across Illinois and the entire country.
According to KaneCountyConnects.com, The Kane County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert earlier in 2025 warning residents that scammers call or text claiming a missed jury duty notice, threatening fines or arrest unless immediate payment is made via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Sheriff’s officials emphasized that they never call asking for payment to resolve jury service issues.
TheTelegraph.com says that in the 3rd Judicial Circuit (covering Madison and Bond Counties), officials reported a rise in fraudulent communications. Scammers, often armed with victims’ names and addresses, used fake badge numbers and official-sounding language to make their threats seem real. Local authorities stress that any missed jury duty would be communicated via mail, not by phone or text demanding immediate payment.
The Biggest Reasons The Jury Duty Scam Works So Well Are Urgency And Fear
Scam-callers claim there’s a pending warrant and insist on immediate payment or personal information to “clear up" the issue of missed jury duty. They may even spoof Caller-ID to appear legitimate or send fake documents to intimidate victims.
If you receive a suspicious call or text, hang up and contact your local court clerk or sheriff’s office using their verified numbers. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Older adults are often prime targets, so sharing warnings with friends and family is key.