Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Reports Surge in Jury Duty Scams
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida has recorded 44 reports of jury duty scam texts and calls this year, indicating a surge in such fraudulent activities nationwide.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 10, 2026 —
Pasco County, FL – The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has reported a significant increase in jury duty scams targeting residents. This year alone, the office has received 44 reports related to fraudulent texts and calls impersonating court officials or law enforcement to solicit personal information or money.
This trend in Pasco County reflects a broader pattern of increased jury duty scams being reported across the nation. These scams typically involve fraudsters contacting victims, often via phone or text message, claiming they have missed jury duty and face arrest or hefty fines if they do not comply with immediate demands. The scammers may pose as sheriff’s deputies, court clerks, or federal agents.
Common tactics employed by these scammers include threats of immediate arrest, demands for payment of nonexistent fines, and requests for sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or financial account details. Officials emphasize that legitimate court summonses are typically delivered by mail, and court personnel will not demand immediate payment or sensitive personal data over the phone or via text.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to be vigilant and aware of these fraudulent schemes. They advise anyone receiving suspicious calls or texts related to jury duty to hang up or delete the message immediately and to verify any such claims directly with the court system through official channels. Providing personal information or making payments to unknown callers or texters could lead to identity theft and financial loss.
While the exact number of successful fraudulent transactions or the total amount lost by victims in Pasco County was not immediately available, the 44 reports indicate a growing concern. The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who believes they have been a victim of a scam or has received a suspicious communication to report it to their office.
Story summarized from the original created by Josie Fischels on www.wfla.com, see more information here.
