October 19, 2023: Scam Alert - Missed Jury Duty

Our office has been advised that scammers may be contacting Florida residents by phone, claiming they are law enforcement, and threatening to charge them for missing a jury duty date if payment is not received. In one of the cases recently reported to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office in another county, the scammer claimed $450.00 was owed and would result in an arrest if payment was not made. This is NOT the procedure for enforcing a jury duty summons.

Law enforcement will NOT contact you by phone regarding missing jury duty.  You will first receive correspondence by mail or by delivery in person by an officer giving an opportunity to appear before a judge to explain the reason for missing jury duty. No fine, fee or other monetary payment will be imposed until ordered by a judge.

If your receive a suspicious communication regarding a missed jury duty date, you should contact either the Okeechobee City Police Department at (863) 763-5521 or the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office at (863)763-3117 and report it.