The Administrative Office of the Courts has seen a resurgence in use of a jury identity theft scam. More than a dozen states-including California-have issued public warnings about calls from people claiming to be court officials seeking personal information. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is aware of the scam and cautions people against falling prey to these callers.

The Administrative Office of the Courts and Staff of the superior courts will never ask past or prospective jurors for financial details, credit card numbers, bank account or personal information like Social Security numbers. Please do not provide this type of information to anyone claiming to be associated with the courts.

If you receive a telephone call, an e-mail or other form of electronic communication from someone identifying himself or herself as a court employee and requesting your personal information, please contact the fraud unit of your local police department immediately and the jury office of your local court. According to a 2006 FBI press release, identity thieves may use your personal information to make purchases on your credit cards, to empty your bank accounts, or may sell your personal information to the highest bidder, so you should always protect yourself.

Please be advised that official court personnel may contact you by telephone, but will not request your personal information.

For additional information, please visitt:

• Federal Bureau of Investigationswebsite
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Your local court website, or
• AOC August 21, 2009 press release on juror identity theft