Jury service scam?

[Sue]

I've just received a text saying I was summoned to jury service by post but I haven't replied, and to avoid a fine, confirm attendance or otherwise by clicking on a link.

I'm assuming this is a scam. I've googled but the only jury service text scam I've found is something similar, but not the same, from September.

The link looks authentic, but obviously it would, and I haven't clicked on it. I'm assuming it would go to a genuine looking website.

Has anyone else received anything similar? Would the actual jury organising people use texts?

I did have an initial moment of panic, I must confess!

[Jules-and-Boo]

More likely they roils write to you.

I would try and call them tomorrow

[Sue]

The text says they have already written (supposedly) and I haven't replied (supposedly).

[malumbu]

I work for an organisation that helps stop scam e-mails. I'll PM you my bank details and if you pay in ?50 you wont get any more dodgy e-mails. Honest.....

Interesting to see what they will try next, we had two - one the classic refund of tax timed nicely for the self assessment timetable. An even better one was the "you've been caught in the congestion charging zone", it was relatively low amount, say ?28, even though the car is not registered in their name and hadn't been driven anywhere near. Obviously because the car is there for show (that's another thread).

It appears easier to get caught out on the smart phone as you don't notice the dodgy address eg Paypa1 (those of you on your phones will not notice this isn't Paypal.)

Separately I'd love to do jury service....

And I did once work for an organisation who looked after consumer rights, but I give my advice foc.

l

PS it was a 'one' at the end of Paypa1

[Sue]

I phoned, luckily got through easily.

They don't text, it's a scam.

Phew.

I will leave this here in case anyone gets the same text.

ETA: In some ways I would like to do jury service, but I have a horrible feeling the other jurors would drive me slowly even more insane than I already am.

And if it was a distressing case it would really upset me.

[nxjen]

The hanging around and waiting is more likely to drive you insane than the other jurors!

[Blah Blah]

Jury service uses the electoral register to select people. The electoral register does not hold phone numbers.

There seem to be a wave of scam emails and texts at the moment, but fundamentally, anything you are not expecting that asks you to click a link, is usually a scam.

[Clutterqueen]

Must be a scam as there are no jury services operating for months now due to Covid.

[OutOfFocus]

Except ...

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

Most jury trials are taking place..

(Probably not the full story)

https://www.gov.uk/jury-service

[Sue]

Clutterqueen Wrote:

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> Must be a scam as there are no jury services

> operating for months now due to Covid.

That's not what the message on their phone line says

[ctovey]

I have 2 relatives who are detectives and they have been attending trials at the Old Bailey since just after the first lockdown ended

[JohnL]

Reply "Guilty as Charged"

https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy/news-room/2020/jury-service-scam-text-targets-public

The last scam I got I actually did report to Action Fraud

[WomblingFree]

Over the last few days I've received texts telling me that my payment to EE has been declined and that my parcel has a customs fee that needs paying. I'm not with EE and I haven't ordered a parcel. Sounds like the scammers are all stuck at home bored as well...

[Lynne]

We've only had the usual "Amazon Prime" and "BT". Most days, unfortunately.

[JohnL]

WomblingFree Wrote:

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> Over the last few days I've received texts telling

> me that my payment to EE has been declined and

> that my parcel has a customs fee that needs

> paying. I'm not with EE and I haven't ordered a

> parcel. Sounds like the scammers are all stuck at

> home bored as well...

I get EE fraud emails and I'm with EE which is why I reported that one (even though I deleted the first few emails - some people might fit the victim profile and fall for it). I actually checked my EE payment - on the app NOT the link on the email - the first time before realising.

[KidKruger]

John L

Then there is an email address which service providers have specifically for you to forward scam to.

[siousxiesue]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

>

> ETA: In some ways I would like to do jury service,

> but I have a horrible feeling the other jurors

> would drive me slowly even more insane than I

> already am.

>

> And if it was a distressing case it would really

> upset me.

Certainly would Sue, my mum was called to serve on the jury for Peter Sutcliffe at the Old Bailey. Was worried sick but thankfully wasn't chosen.

And a friend served on a murder of a homeless guy, he was so distressed by the case (and the defence being inadequate) that he asked to be relieved and was. Most unusual

[Sue]

Goodness, your mum was lucky.

Interested to hear about your friend. Did they continue with one juror missing?

[peckham_ryu]

There's a series on YouTube called Spying on the Scammers, which you can find on Jim Browning's channel there. It includes a fascinating scene captured from CCTV inside the office of the CEO of a scam centre where he and his partners discuss which scams to implement next. Other than the criminality, it's just like any other company sales meeting.

Thank you for alerting us to this latest tactic. The scammers get more and more convincing every year.

[Sue]

Thanks, I just watched it on iPlayer.

I was just as fascinated by how that guy managed to get access to the scammer's CCTV and bank accounts 😮

But also why PayPal have continued to allow the scammer to have an account even after being made aware of what he was using it for.

Interested to know quite how my jury service scammer would have got any money from me, but I don't intend to click on the link to find out!

[nxjen]

Perhaps they would have asked for your bank account details on the pretext of where to send your payment for expenses and daily allowance.

[Sue]

nxjen Wrote:

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> Perhaps they would have asked for your bank

> account details on the pretext of where to send

> your payment for expenses and daily allowance.

Oh yes, that's possible. Good thinking!