Jury Duty Scam Alert

The Montgomery County Court System summons hundreds of citizens every year for jury duty. Many people dread getting a notice for jury duty in the mail, but know that being called for jury duty should not be ignored. Some criminals are using the public’s respect for the court system to gain access to your personal information. Here is how the scam works: you receive an email notifying you that you have been summoned to appear before the court, sometimes with official sounding subject lines like “Urgent Court Notice.” The notice may even tell you when and where to go to court, but when you click on the link to find out more information, the attached malware infects your computer. Once the criminal has malware installed on your computer, it allows the malware to access files on your computer, including stored passwords and even your financial information if you do online banking or make online purchases.

Here is information and suggestions to protect yourself:

 

• Ohio courts do not email jury notifications to citizens.  The Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, through the Jury Management Office, mails notifications to people summoned to jury duty based on the address on file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  That court does allow citizens who have received their notice in the mail to go online and fill out a questionnaire, but the initial contact comes through the mail.
• Call the Jury Management Office (937-225-4704) or visit their website (www.montcourt.org) if you have any questions about a notice you receive for Montgomery County Court system.
• If notice is mailed from another court, use Google, or another search engine, to find court website if you have questions.
•  Be wary of any emails that require immediate response.
• Make sure that your home anti-virus software is active and up to date.

The above ALERT is part of the Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney’s initiative to help citizens become aware of ways they can avoid becoming a victim, or ways they can help stop criminal activity that may be occurring.  Upon request, the office can provide presentations on crime prevention actions and activities to halt crime and increase the quality of life in our community.