Home › Scam alerts › November 3, 2026
Calls from a "deputy" about missed jury duty, with a Bitcoin ATM payment
Posted · Written by Daniel Morton, Scam, Fraud & Prevention Consultant, Winston-Salem, NC
Callers are pretending to be sheriff's deputies or "Court Services" staff in the Triad. They say you missed jury duty or have a warrant, and that you can pay a fine now to clear it, usually by putting cash into a Bitcoin ATM. The Forsyth County and Guilford County Sheriff's Offices say they will never call and demand money this way.
How it works: The caller may use a real officer's name, and caller ID can be faked to show a real local number. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office says scammers have made calls look like they come from the real Court Services line. The caller keeps you on the phone, tells you not to tell anyone, has you withdraw cash, and texts a QR code to scan at a Bitcoin ATM at a gas station or store.
Red flags:
- A call about missed jury duty or a warrant that you can "pay off" right now
- Payment by Bitcoin ATM, gift cards, wire transfer, or cash
- Being told to stay on the line or keep it secret from family or your bank
What to do: Hang up. Look up the Sheriff's Office number yourself instead of calling back: Forsyth County non-emergency 336-727-2112, Guilford County 336-373-2222. Talk it over with someone you trust before taking out any money. If you already paid, keep the receipt and report it at ic3.gov and to the Sheriff's Office. People 60 and older can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 for help.
Sources: WXII, Guilford County Sheriff's Office · WFMY News 2 · Forsyth County Sheriff's Office · FBI IC3
Read the full guide: Is that call from a "deputy" about missed jury duty or a warrant a scam? →
This alert summarizes the news reports and official warnings linked above. It's general information, not legal or financial advice.