ALERT: Beware of suspicious calls and fraudulent schemes that invoke the court’s authority, such as those involving jury service, threatening a fine or jail time, or soliciting payments.
Jury:
Warning: Fraudulent attempts to collect your personal information through fake jury forms.
Citizens in the Western District of New York may receive various forms of false communication (scams) by phone or email. A recent scam involves jury forms with official-looking bar codes sent by email that ask for personal information such as date of birth, mother's maiden name, etc.. If you have received a phone call or email asking you to provide personal information and/or send payment to avoid arrest or other penalty, it is a scam.
The Court will NOT do any of the following:
1. The Court will NOT send or accept jury forms by email. The Court's official forms do not require personal information such as your mother's maiden name.
2. Serve a warrant by e-mail or fax. Valid warrants will always be served in person by a U.S. Marshal or other law enforcement officer.
3. Call, e-mail, or send a fax to tell you a warrant has been issued.
4. Demand the payment of money in lieu of being arrested.
5. Demand verification of personal information via email or phone call, such as bank account information.
Scammers, claiming to be a officer or attorney of the U.S. government, have been contacting citizens and demanding payment of money or verification of personal information in order for the subject of the scam to avoid arrest. Scammers have also been sending official-looking jury forms via email to citizens that ask for personal information (phishing). Calls and emails such as these are scams. Such emails may contain Trojan horses or viruses.
Warning: Fraudulent attempts to collect money for missed jury service.
Throughout the country there has been an uptick in attempts to solicit money from people by suggesting they did not report for jury service. Please Note: The federal courts will not call you to request money or bank account information. If the Court needs to contact you, you will receive an automated call, text message or letter via US Mail requesting you to contact us. Even in those situations, the Court will not ask for money or financial information.
If you do receive such a phone call or text claiming to be a follow-up on missed jury service at this Court, please do not respond, agree to meet, or provide any personal information. Do not give them any money or information that would provide them with access to your financial accounts. It is best to ignore or delete the call or message.
Central Violations Bureau:
Important Notice for Individuals Attempting to Pay a U.S. District Court Violation Notice Online
A fake website is currently impersonating www.cvb.uscourts.gov and may attempt to collect personal or financial information fraudulently. The only official website for paying a U.S. District Court Violation Notice is www.cvb.uscourts.gov. If you are paying online, please verify the web address carefully and report suspicious activity to the Central Violations Bureau (CVB) at 800-827-2982 or info@cvb.uscourts.gov. Alternatively, you may pay a ticket over the phone by calling the CVB at the same number.
What can you do?
Be vigilant. Do not provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited communications of any kind. Independently verify websites and pay platforms. You can also report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission.
If you believe that you have been the victim of fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI. If you have concerns about a communication that purports to be from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, please contact the court directly to verify.