Circuit Court Alert:
October 24, 2024
Fairfax County officials are issuing an urgent warning to residents about a surge in jury duty scams targeting local residents. In recent days, the county has received an alarming number of reports— with a surge of incoming calls related to this fraudulent activity. Residents, both from Fairfax County and surrounding jurisdictions, have reported receiving phone calls, voicemails, and emails claiming they have missed jury duty, specifically federal grand jury duty.
These communications falsely indicate that citations or arrest warrants have been issued and threaten the recipients with arrest by Deputy Sheriffs if they do not respond immediately to rectify the supposed issues or click the link to ‘reschedule’. "The volume of calls we are receiving today has doubled, leading us to believe that this scam is spreading rapidly," said a Circuit Court spokesperson. "Fairfax Circuit Court will NEVER ask for money or any type of monetary fees when re-scheduling jury duty. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and to verify any such communications they receive regarding jury duty.”
Officials are advising the public to:
1. Do Not Respond: Avoid providing personal information over the phone or via email. Do not click links or open attachments from unknown sources.
2. Verify Communications: Contact the official Fairfax County court offices directly if you have doubts about your jury duty status. Fairfax Circuit Court’s Jury Department can be reached by calling (703) 246-2292 or visiting www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/Jury/general-information.
3. Spread the Word: Share this information with friends, family, and neighbors to help protect our community from these scams.
To assist further in spreading the word about this fraudulent scheme, Fairfax County is reaching out to local media outlets for coverage. Officials encourage news stations and community organizations to help raise awareness, as these scams can have serious implications for anyone who falls victim to them. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious calls or communications to the local authorities, and assistance can also be found through the county’s official website.
Stay alert and protect yourself from these deceitful tactics.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Camila Alfonzo Meza
Public Information Officer
Phone: (703) 246-3717
Email: camila.alfonzomeza@fairfaxcounty.gov