US District Court, Attorney’s Office issue scam warning

Chief U.S. District Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson and U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler warn the public of a nationwide scam in which the callers pose as U.S. Marshals or other government officials and claim that the victim is about to be arrested for not appearing for jury duty but can avoid arrest by paying a fine.

The scammers often provide information that seems very convincing, including the real names of federal judges or court employees, the location of the courthouse, and case and badge numbers. The victim has every reason to believe the call is legitimate. The caller then tells the victim they can avoid arrest by paying an immediate fine and walks them through purchasing a prepaid debit or gift card or making an electronic payment to satisfy the “fine.”

On behalf of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Chief Judge Magnus-Stinson said, “The people conducting this scam can be very convincing. They call their law-abiding victims and terrify them with threats of arrest and jail unless they pay up immediately. The U.S. Courts do not operate this way. In no instance will a court official, U.S. Marshal, or other government employee contact someone and demand payment or personal information by phone or email. This is a scam, and a lot of people are being hurt.”

Residents of the Southern District of Indiana who believe they have been the victim of such a scam are encouraged to report the incident to the District Court Clerk’s Office at 317-229-3700; the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov; and the U. S. Marshals Service at 317-226-6566.

“Those who take advantage of trusting citizens must know that there is zero tolerance for this type of behavior,” said Minkler. “Fraudsters and other scammers will face the full force of federal law enforcement for such activity.”