If you have received an e-mail or phone call asking you to provide certain personal information or send payment to avoid arrest or other penalty, it may be a scam.

The Court will NOT do any of the following:

1. The Court does not send or accept jury forms by e-mail. The Court's official forms may only be submitted by U.S. Mail or over the secure “eJuror” website.
2. The Court does not serve a warrant by telephone, e-mail or fax. Valid warrants will always be served in person by a U.S. Marshal or other law enforcement officer.
3. The Court does not call, e-mail, or send a fax to tell you a warrant has been issued.
4. The Court does not demand the payment of money in lieu of being arrested. The Court does not call and request payment via prepaid credit cards. Although the law does permit the Court to order fines and other penalties for failing to appear for jury service, this will only happen after an in person hearing before a judge.
5. The Court does not call, email, or send a fax requesting personal information such as a mother’s maiden name or bank account number.
6. The Court will not send emails which include a link to click ‘for more information’.

Scammers, claiming to be an 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 e-mailing citizens official-looking jury forms requesting personal information (phishing). Calls and e-mails such as these are scams. Such e-mails may contain computer viruses or malware, and these emails should be deleted without responding to them or clicking any links they contain.

What Can You Do?

The United States Marshals Service has issued a press release regarding recent juror scams in this area.

To verify if a call or mailing came from the U.S. District Court, please call our office directly at (504) 589-7730 during normal business hours to speak with a member of the Jury Unit.

If you believe that you have been the victim of fraud or have received a scam phone call, phishing e-mail, or fax, contact your local police or sheriff's department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (504-816-3000), or the United States Marshals Service (504-589-6079).

If you have any concerns about a communication that purports to be from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, contact us at 504-589-7730. More information about jury duty scams, including a video, is available on the U.S. Courts website.