Scam Alert: 'Jury Duty Scam' Making Its Way Around Ross Township, Warn Authorities

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- A jury duty scam is making its way around Ross Township, authorities warn.

Several residents have received either a call or email claiming that a warrant has been issued for their arrest because they missed jury duty, the Ross Township Police Department warned in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

U.S. Marshals in Pittsburgh said Thursday they had also become aware of the scam.

Officials said the scammer may inquire about a person's availability to participate in jury duty, often claiming to be a court administrator or law enforcement officer. They usually request confidential information -- such as a person's birthday, Social Security number and bank account information.

These scammers will ask that a payment be made in order to spare the victim from arrest, officials warned. They may request it be sent through a money transfer wervice, or in some cases, gift cards.

Neither law enforcement officials nor court officials would seek information -- or payment -- from jurors in this manner, authorities said.

For more information on juror scams, visit the United States Courts' webpage.

Authorities said if anyone receives such a call, they should hang up and report it to the Ross Police Department or the U.S. Marshals in Western Pennsylvania at 412-644-6628.