For Immediate Release
November 26, 2025
Media Contact: Dan Estes
[email protected]
[BOISE, ID] – Attorney General Raúl Labrador issued a consumer alert today, warning Idahoans on the text/call/email scam that claims recipients have missed jury duty and if they don’t immediately pay a fine, they could be arrested by local authorities or subject to even greater costs and penalties. As with many scams, criminals depend on a person’s law-abiding nature to scare them into making a payment, often through a link or QR code.
“Idahoans – particularly senior citizens – are frequent victims of these criminal scams,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Seniors are targeted for millions each year and the best defense is consumer awareness and prevention education. Always be smarter than the scam and don’t let fear drive any of your decisions.”
Often, scammers fake their caller ID, and make texts and emails look very authentic with correct logos, emblems, addresses, and even using names of local sheriffs, judges, and court staff to look official. Many scam operations are professionally organized overseas and make billions of dollars by preying on unsuspecting consumers.
Idaho courts, however, don’t text people. Courts don’t demand any payments over a text link. Courts don’t threaten fines or arrest warrants in texts or calls if payments aren’t immediately made. Idaho courts and law enforcement officials are keenly aware of this scam and caution everyone who receives these scams to not reply or to hang up immediately.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offers the following tips to Idahoans looking to avoid typical scams:
- Don’t pay anything through an unknown text link.
- Anyone asking you to pay with a gift card or cryptocurrency is a big red flag.
- Be suspicious of any text or call that tries to create urgency or fear.
If you have been the victim of a scam or fraud, or deceptive marketing from a business, consumer complaint forms and resources can be found at ReportScamsIdaho.com.
About Raúl Labrador
Raúl Labrador is the 33rd Attorney General of Idaho. The Office of the Attorney General provides legal representation for the State of Idaho. This representation is furnished to state agencies, offices and boards in the furtherance of the state's legal interests. The office is part of state government’s executive branch and its duties are laid out in the Idaho Constitution.
