Be aware of scams regarding jury service

Beware! Once again, scammers are targeting Mississippi citizens regarding jury service.

In the Southern District of Mississippi, which includes metro-Jackson and all counties and municipalities along and south of Interstate 20, a number of people have received phone calls and/or emails with threats of prosecution—including fines and jail time—for failing to appear for jury service in federal court.

These calls and emails are fraudulent and are not connected with the U.S. Courts. They also resurface periodically so be especially vigilant in the future.

Members of the public also are warned about any request to provide confidential information in response to callers or to an email.

The Southern District does not ask for sensitive information such as a Social Security number, driver’s license number, or mother’s maiden name, in a telephone call or email.

“In recent weeks we have seen an increase of impersonators calling the public and using names of actual law enforcement officers and even federal judges informing