Beware of scammers calling and pretending to be from the court, claiming you missed jury duty and must pay a fine.

These fraudsters prey on your fear and use it to trick you into paying large fines, sometimes thousands of dollars. A friend almost got caught in this exact scam.

They had details that seemed legitimate – his name, address and even a jury duty notice. They claimed he was cited $3,000 and threatened jail time if he didn’t pay immediately (cash only). The scammer even mentioned tracking him down via satellite and sending police to arrest him.

Thankfully, we called our lawyer, who quickly identified the scam. A Maui police officer we spoke to wasn’t surprised, mentioning that she receives these reports all the time.

Here’s what we learned from this scary experience: Courts will never contact you by phone or email about jury duty, only by mail. They will never ask for payment over the phone. Scammers will try to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into paying right away. Do not share any personal info or payment details. Do not click on links or open attachments sent by strangers. Hang up immediately if you suspect it’s a scam.

If you receive a similar call, reach out to your local police department to verify its legitimacy. If you’ve already given out personal info or money, contact your bank and report it. Monitor your credit card statements carefully for any suspicious activity. Help protect others by sharing this warning.

Cynthia Conrad

Makawao