United States District Court as well as the Maine Judicial Branch issued warnings Monday regarding two new scams springing up in Maine.
In a release from the district courts, citizens are being warned about telephone and email scammers, claiming the recipients will face prosecution for failure to comply with jury duty.
People targeted are being asked to provide personal information, such as social security numbers and birth dates.
The warning states, “These false requests are used to coerce citizens into providing confidential data, which could lead to identity theft or fraud. In some cases, citizens are informed that there is a warrant for their arrest and they are asked to pay a fine.”
The district courts warn that anyone receiving such a call or email request — which may use the names of actual judicial officers, courts or law enforcement personnel — should not offer any personal information.
The statement states, “Federal courts do not require citizens to provide confidential information by telephone or by email. Most contact by federal courts with prospective jurors will be through the U.S. mail or by phone, from a real court official and it will not include requests for social security numbers, credit card numbers, dates of birth or other personal information.”
It further stated the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine as well as federal courts use an online program for prospective jurors called E-Juror, which never requests personal information.
In a similar statement from the Maine Judicial Branch, another scam involving phone calls telling people they have missed a court date, jury duty or fine payment has been used to lure victims into payment by phone to avoid arrest.
The statement said, “Earlier this week, a York county resident was defrauded of $1000. The telephone number that is appearing on the recipient’s caller ID may actually appear as Maine courthouse or sheriff department telephone number.”
This practice, called “caller ID spoofing” can make the caller identification appear to be from any number the caller chooses.
Mary Ann Lynch, spokesperson for the Judicial Branch said, “The Maine Judicial Branch wants to remind Maine people that the courts’ collection practices do not include telephone or email contact, and that no one working for Maine courts or the sheriff’s department will request credit card, social security numbers, or other personal information either over the telephone or by email.
“Nor will they appear at your home looking for money. If someone does owe a court or traffic violation fine, they may receive a U.S. Postal Service letter, an arrest warrant may be issued or their tax refund will be reduced by the amount of the debt owed to the state,” Lynch said.
Lynch urges people to contact their local courthouse and local law enforcement if anyone appears at their home, calls or emails on behalf of the courts asking for personal information.
dmcintire@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
