What it means
A scammer may send a document that resembles a warrant after claiming you missed jury duty. Logos, case numbers, seals and a caller ID are easy to copy or spoof. The FTC says U.S. courts do not demand phone payments and real law enforcement will not text or email an arrest warrant as a way to collect a fine. A verified court notice is established through the court's independently sourced process, not the attachment alone.
A real-world example
A caller knows your address and sends a PDF with a sheriff's seal. They demand a gift card within an hour. The public details and image make the story frightening, but the payment channel and threat are scam signals.
What to do
Hang up, find the courthouse through an official directory and ask about your real status. Preserve messages and report the attempt. If you paid, immediately contact the payment provider.
The distinction that matters
A genuine missed-jury matter could require action, but it will not be resolved by sending crypto or gift cards to a caller. Local legal procedures vary, so follow only instructions you confirm with the actual court. An attachment can contain a harmful link as well as fake text; do not enable macros, install a viewer or enter a password just to inspect an alleged warrant.
FTC jury-duty impersonation
