Blog.

In the August 31, 2009 issue of the New Jersey Law Journal, I learned that there is a new identity theft scheme occurring in New Jersey (and possibly in other states as well). Unlike scams that typically occur over the telephone or via email, scam artists are pretending to work for the courts and visiting people in their homes!

I researched this scam on the internet and found the link to the official press release from the New Jersey Judiciary. According to the press release, the scam artists appear on your doorstep with fake identification that says they are Jury Managers who work for the New Jersey courts. The fake Jury Manager scares you into believing that you did not show up for jury duty. When you claim that you didn’t get the jury duty notice, the fake Jury Manager will then attempt to “verify your identity” by requesting your personal information, including your social security number and driver’s license number.

These scam artists look and sound legit when they appear on your doorstep with fake identification. But Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts, stated in the press release that “The New Jersey Judiciary does not and has never asked for personal identifiers over the phone, by e-mail or in person. Furthermore the Judiciary does not make follow-up phone calls or e-mails to jurors. Those contacts are scams. All notifications to potential jurors are conducted through the U.S. Postal Service.”

At the bottom of the press release, there are two helpful links: this is what a Jury Summons looks like, and this is a list of Jury Managers. If a scam artist is impersonating court personnel and shows up at your door, contact your county Jury Manager immediately.

Spread the word to your family, friends, and colleagues, that official jury notices are sent in the mail. Neither the courts nor Jury Managers will ask you for personal identifiers over the telephone, via email, or in person.