Clerk of Circuit Court Warns Walworth County Residents of Jury Duty Scam

Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court Michele Jacobs is alerting residents about a telephone scam that recently defrauded a local woman of $2,000.

The woman reported that she was contacted by an individual claiming to be a Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputy. The caller falsely stated that she had failed to report for jury service and needed to pay a $2,000 fine immediately to avoid arrest. The scammers then instructed her to wire them money. After she complied, they called again, claiming they spoke with the clerk, confirmed that her fine had increased, and demanded additional funds.

“These calls are fraudulent and should be ignored,” said Jacobs. “The Clerk of Circuit Court’s office will never call and demand immediate payment for a jury duty-related fine. Official jury summonses and failure-to-appear notices are sent via first-class mail. Court officials and officers do not make phone calls to threaten arrest or demand payments.”

Residents who receive such calls and are unsure of their legitimacy should hang up immediately and contact the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office at 262-741-7012.

Individuals summoned for jury duty first receive a questionnaire by U.S. mail, followed by a summons with instructions on how and when to report. Those who fail to complete and return their questionnaire, or who fail to appear for jury duty, will receive a written notification of their failure to comply, which may include notification of a hearing scheduled before a judge. But they will never receive a phone call demanding money. The Clerk of Circuit Court’s office may issue a fine for failure to appear, but notification will always be sent via an official letter.

For more information about the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office and the Walworth County Circuit Court system, visit https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/151/Clerk-of-Circuit-Court