YUBA COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Scammers have been hard at work telephoning Yuba County residents stating they failed to appear for jury service.  After a very professional conversation peppered with threats of bigger fines and or jail time, thieves request victims provide them gift card numbers, bank details or other personal information.  One person was given a zoom link to “verify” the thief’s identity when she asked to call them back. She wisely telephoned Yuba County jury staff at the courthouse to check the validity of these requests.

Heather Pugh, Yuba County Superior Court Executive Officer, is concerned and frustrated by these recent scammer calls. Pugh stresses, “Court staff will not be telephoning to collect jury fines or ask for personal information.  All communication from the Court regarding jury duty is done through the mail.”

Yuba county recently implemented a program to address the rising rates of juror nonattendance.  After a potential juror misses their jury summons date, staff sends a Juror Failure to Appear Notice via the United States Post Office.   “These official notices are often the result of unintentionally missed jury service.  We understand life happens, and want to get jurors back on track,” said Pugh.  Most often these oversights can be corrected by following the directions to email jury services which is found on the Juror FTA letter.  These email communications will never include requests for financial information or gift cards to rectify a missed summons.  

There will be no surprise telephone call demanding payment for missed jury service from Yuba County Jury Services.

If you receive a call demanding payment in the form of gift cards or a request to provide personal information for failing to appear for jury duty, please report it to local law enforcement and contact our Jury Department at (530) 740-1890.