In recent days, U.S. District Court offices have heard from Iowans that they are being
targeted by phone calls which threaten prosecution for failing to comply with jury service
in federal or state courts. We join the Office of the Iowa Attorney General in seeking to
warn you about bogus phone calls relating to jury service.

Fraudulent callers will use the threat of the imposition of a fine or imprisonment for
failing to appear for jury service. The caller will ultimately attempt to acquire personally
identifiable information or confirm portions of confidential data, potentially leading to
identify theft and fraud.

It is important to note that federal courts do not require the provision of sensitive
information via a telephone call. Primary contact between federal courts and
prospective jurors will be accomplished through U.S. Mail. Telephone contact by
legitimate court officials will not include requests for social security numbers, credit card
numbers or any other sensitive information.

Jury duty is a vital civic responsibility and should be taken seriously by all citizens.
However, it is a crime for anyone to falsely represent himself or herself as a federal
court official. The federal judiciary takes offenses such as these very seriously.

Persons receiving such a phone call should not provide the information requested and
notify the Jury Administrator for the U.S. District Court for Southern Iowa at (515) 323-
3872.