Court Warns Grand Rapids Residents About Jury Duty Scam

The 61st District Court in Grand Rapids is warning residents of a scammer calling and claiming people are in trouble for failing to appear for jury duty.

The court says that someone has been claiming to be from the non-existent “Grand Rapids Sheriff Department’s Warrant Unit.”

As part of this scam, the caller instructs the person to create a PayPal account to pay for more than $700 in fines.

The court wants to make it clear to residents that court and law enforcement agencies will not contact residents via the phone regarding jury duty. If a person doesn't appear for jury duty, the court will send them a letter and have them appear in court to explain their absence.

Anyone who has received this type of call, is being asked to contact the Attorney General Consumer Protection Agency at 517.373.1140.