Authorities warning about nationwide jury duty scam

Scammers are posing as government officials, claiming the individual will be arrested for not appearing for jury duty unless they pay a fine.

A nationwide jury duty scam has claimed an increasing number of victims, authorities said.

Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg issued a public warning on Monday in an effort to prevent more people from "falling prey to such scams."

Their statement says scammers are posing as U.S. marshals or other government officials, claiming the individual will be arrested for not appearing for jury duty unless they pay a fine. 

“If someone calls and threatens you to pay them to not be arrested for missing federal jury duty, you are being scammed," Handberg said. 

The scammers can be convincing, Handberg warns. Some of them reportedly provide a potential victim's address, date of birth, names of federal judges and case numbers.