US Federal Court: “you didn’t show up for jury duty” scammers slicker than ever

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

You get a call from the federal court or US Marshals.

Their records show you didn’t show up for jury duty. Scofflaw!

Looks like you’ve got two choices: you can pay the fine, or you can get arrested. They accept payment over the phone or by wire service, thank you very much.

Yikes! Better pay that fine, you well might think, just as you would pay tickets for parking or jaywalking, lest you get a criminal record.

Stop right there. Put away your wallet.

There’s a third option. It’s called hanging up.

https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2016/03/31/us-federal-court-you-didnt-show-up-for-jury-duty-scammers-slicker-than-ever/

Be warned; be aware. Similar scams involve criminals claiming to be from the IRS wanting you for back taxes.

[hobbit709]

1. If the Feds were really after your ass, they'd be at the door.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. EXACTLY n/t

[herding cats]

3. I got a call yesterday from a person saying my credit card had been stolen.

Then they asked me to give them the number to verify the theft. I told them they were the lamest scammer I'd ever dealt with, and they really should look for a new line of work.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

5. Like Fuddnik (below) I got an "IRS" call a year ago

I played along for about 40 minutes listening to how I could go to a "payment center" (western union office) to buy "payment cards" and give the scammer, I mean "agent" the card numbers.

Eventually I suggested that, "I can just give you contact information for my banker and you can collect the money from my account. He's holding $11,000,000 for me and he's in Nigeria."



All fun aside this is a serious issue and people who try to be honest and lawful are often caught unaware and scammed.
I hope these guys stopped and I hope the word gets out to everyone with a phone, fast.

[Jim Lane]

8. You have a better Nigerian banker than I do.

A friend of mine posted on Facebook about getting this "IRS" call. One of her friends said she'd gotten the same call and added, "Maybe we can be cellmates." My contribution was to promise to pay her tax bill for her as soon as my guy in Nigeria came through with the $8.3 million.

Damn, I think I lost $2.7 million on the deal.

[Fuddnik]

4. I got a call yesterday morning from the "IRS".

The recording was left on my answering machine.

They said it was the final notice before they sue me. I live in Tampa. My sister who lives in Vegas got the same call the day before. Both instructed us to call an 805 area code (Pensacola, FL) to settle the matter immediately.

You'd think the NSA with all their snooping could put these thieves out of business.

[factory]

6. IRS scam

I received the same type of call except mine was from a 202 code which is Washington DC. In fact they called twice!! I must really be in trouble lol. I did my civic duty and reported on the irs.gov page. Sounds like they've bilked around 5 million from about 1100 people. Praying on the elderly I'm assuming. Oops I meant preying.

[wryter2000]

7. I got a couple of calls like that

One before 7:00 am. I tried to call back to tell them I was reporting their ass to the federal government, but they didn't answer. Assholes.

[1939]

9. Mine had a rather thick accent

I kept telling him to let me talk to someone who speaks English. After my insistence on that, he was not amused and eventually told me to "suck his dick".

[Major Nikon]

10. Any demand of money by phone or mail gets met with a challenge of "sue me"

[phylny]

11. I feel left out.

Maybe I'm not getting the calls because I have not yet fixed my computer, which has an Internet infection that Microsoft keeps calling me about.

[csziggy]

12. The IRS hasn't called me either! But Microsoft Security keeps calling

They must have a database they are keeping updated. I was telling them that their warnings scared me so much I got rid of my Windows computer and bought an Apple. Last time they called they told me they no maintain Apple computers!

So I told them I had installed Linux. My next step is to tell them I got rid of all my computers - or pretend to be senile and really, really stupid.

[phylny]

13. Sometimes I speak Spanish.

The last time I said, "You know, EVERYONE in the United States make fun of you guys because we all know you're a scam."

Click.

[csziggy]

14. Sometime when I'm in a bad mood I will go off on them

They tried to steal money from my mother right after my Dad's funeral. if my sister had not been checking her accounts, Mom would have lost several thousand dollars. I just haven't been in the right mood when they've called.

[MurrayDelph]

16. I used to chastise them

Last edited Mon Apr 11, 2016, 11:36 AM - Edit history (1)

"Do your parents know what you do for a living? Do you think they would approve of your trying to steal money from elderly people? You should find a job that doesn't bring shame to your family."

Now I usually just hang up on them (Sometimes with a "go fuck yourself" added in for good measure.

[HeiressofBickworth]

15. I got a card today

saying I failed to show up for jury duty.

No scam, tho.

I didn't show up for jury duty -- deliberately. I've done it twice before and I don't want to do it again.

I'm in just bad enough health that it would make me uncomfortable to have to drive to the county seat, find parking, and then sit all day waiting to get empaneled, but not sick enough for a doctor to give me a letter excusing me. I'm retired so no employer excuse -- besides, that didn't work even when I did have an employer who wrote a letter to the court. I still had to go.

So, I'll call the number they have provided -- they think they will just "reschedule" me. HA