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Is that call from a "deputy" about missed jury duty or a warrant a scam?

Last updated · Written by Daniel Morton, Scam, Fraud & Prevention Consultant, Winston-Salem, NC

Short answer: Yes. The Forsyth County and Guilford County Sheriff's Offices say law enforcement will never call to demand money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to clear a warrant or missed jury duty. People in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and across the Triad are getting these calls, and the caller ID can be faked to show a real local number.

How it works

A caller says they're a deputy or from "Court Services." They tell you that you missed jury duty or a court date and there's a warrant for your arrest, but you can pay a fine right now to clear it up. They may use the names of real officers. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office says scammers have made calls appear to come from the real Guilford County Court Services number.

The caller keeps you on the phone, tells you to withdraw cash from your bank, and then sends you to a Bitcoin ATM (a machine at a gas station or convenience store that turns cash into cryptocurrency). They text you a QR code to scan at the machine, and the cash goes to the scammer. In February, WFMY reported that a Greensboro business owner had already taken out a large amount of cash before the caller sent her to a Bitcoin ATM, which is when she realized it was a scam. The FBI says it received more than 13,400 complaints about cryptocurrency kiosks in 2025, and more than half involved people over 50.

Red flags

  • A call saying you missed jury duty or have a warrant, and you can pay to make it go away
  • A request to pay with a Bitcoin ATM, gift cards, a wire transfer, or cash. The FBI says law enforcement and government officials will never ask for payment this way.
  • You're told to stay on the line, or not to tell your family or your bank
  • A text with a QR code, a "warrant," or a "receipt" to send back

What to do

  1. Hang up. You don't have to stay on the line or answer questions.
  2. Don't call back the number on your caller ID or the one the caller gave you. Look up the Sheriff's Office number yourself. In Forsyth County, call the non-emergency line at 336-727-2112. In Guilford County, call 336-373-2222.
  3. If you're worried about jury duty, call the Clerk of Superior Court in your county, using a number from the county or NC courts website.
  4. Talk it over with someone you trust before you take out any money.

If you already responded

It happens to careful people every day. If you put money into a Bitcoin ATM, keep the receipt and any texts or QR codes, and report it right away to the FBI at ic3.gov and to your local Sheriff's Office. If you gave out bank or card numbers, call the number on the back of your card. People 60 and older can get help filing an FBI report from the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311. Be careful of anyone who later offers to "recover" your money for a fee.

Who to call in North Carolina

  • Forsyth County Sheriff's Office (non-emergency, 24/7): 336-727-2112
  • Guilford County Sheriff's Office: 336-373-2222
  • National Elder Fraud Hotline (60 and older): 833-372-8311
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
  • NC Department of Justice consumer hotline: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226), or file a consumer complaint
  • Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (free for anyone, member or not): 877-908-3360

Common questions

Will the sheriff call me about missed jury duty or a warrant?
The Forsyth County and Guilford County Sheriff's Offices say they will never call and demand money to clear a warrant or missed jury duty. Hang up and call the Sheriff's Office yourself using a number you look up.
Would police ever ask me to pay at a Bitcoin ATM?
No. The FBI says law enforcement and government officials will never ask for payment by cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, or courier. Anyone who asks you to pay at a Bitcoin ATM is a scammer.
The caller ID showed a real local number. Is it still a scam?
It can be. Caller ID can be faked, and the Guilford County Sheriff's Office says scammers have made calls look like they come from the real Court Services number.
What if I already paid at a Bitcoin ATM?
Keep the receipt and any texts or QR codes, report it to the FBI at ic3.gov and to your local Sheriff's Office, and call your bank. People 60 and older can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 for help.

Sources

Take your time, and talk it over with someone you trust. There's no shame in being targeted, and reporting helps your neighbors too. This page summarizes the official warnings and news reports linked above. It's general information, not legal or financial advice.

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