Scam Alerts

In these scams, someone pretends to work for the court or for law enforcement. They try to scare you into sending money or sharing personal information by insisting that you are in trouble. They may mention fines or arrest warrants and pressure you to act immediately.

Scammers may sound professional and use names of real judges or court staff to appear authentic. They may send fraudulent documents or images that include official government seals and logos. The details they use may change, but the warning signs are usually the same.

Signs It May Be a Scam

  • You are told you missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately

  • You are told you owe money for a traffic ticket or other court fine and must pay it immediately

  • You are threatened with arrest during the call

  • You are told to stay on the phone while you withdraw money or buy gift cards

  • You are asked for your Social Security number, bank information, or full date of birth

  • You are instructed to open a link or go to a website they provide

  • Payment is requested through gift cards, prepaid cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency

What the Courts Will Never Do

  • Demand immediate payment over the phone or over text

  • Ask for payment using gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency

  • Threaten arrest for failing to make a payment during a phone call

  • Ask you to stay on the phone while you withdraw money

  • Require you to provide sensitive information over the phone or email

  • Summon you to a court hearing over text

In Idaho, jury summonses are sent by mail. If you miss jury service, the court may send follow-up written communication. You will not be asked to pay a fine over the phone.

What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

  1. Hang up immediately

  2. Do not provide any personal or financial information

  3. Do not send money

  4. Report the scam to your local law enforcement agency, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

If you are unsure whether a caller or message is legitimate, contact your local court directly using the phone number listed on the official court website — not a number provided by the caller.

Recently Reported Scams

May 2026

Fake texts claiming to be from a court insist the recipient owes fines for an unpaid traffic ticket and directs them to appear in court later in the month.

April 2026

Texts circulating widely across the state make various claims that Idahoans owe fines for unpaid traffic tickets. The texts are from international phone numbers and send users to fake websites.

February 2026

Reports of callers claiming to be from the “Idaho Jury Administration Division” and demanding $1,500 in Bitcoin to avoid arrest. The Idaho Judicial Branch does not collect payment in cryptocurrency.