Beware of New Jury Duty Scam in Morris County, Warns Law Enforcement

Authorities in Morris County urge vigilance against a new phone scam involving fake jury duty fines.

Residents of Morris County are being targeted by a sophisticated scam involving impersonation of law enforcement officials, according to recent warnings from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. 

The scam, which has surfaced in at least two reported cases over the past two weeks, involves fraudsters who contact victims by phone, falsely claiming that they have missed jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

The scammers, who may use the names and titles of actual Morris County officers, have also been known to manipulate caller I.D. systems, making it appear as though the call is coming directly from local law enforcement agencies such as the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, or even the Morris County Courthouse. Victims are often instructed to keep the matter confidential and are warned that speaking to anyone else about the situation could lead to their arrest.

Key Prevention Tips:

• Verify Suspicious Calls: If you receive a call about jury duty non-appearance, contact the Morris County Sheriff’s Office directly at 973-285-6600 during daytime or 973-285-2900 after hours to verify the identity of the caller.
• Recognize Red Flags: Legitimate agencies will never demand payment via money cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to settle fines or avoid arrest.
• Question Immediate Demands: Be wary of any unexpected callers who insist on immediate payment or threaten legal consequences.

Morris County officials are asking anyone who has received such calls or knows someone who has to report the incidents to local authorities. This will assist in tracking down the scammers and preventing further victimization of county residents.