Orange County, FL – Residents across Central Florida are being hit with a new wave of fraudulent phone calls today, with scammers posing as law enforcement officers and threatening to arrest people for allegedly missing jury duty.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, callers are impersonating deputies or court officials, pressuring victims by claiming they face immediate jail time unless they pay fines or verify personal information. Deputies emphasized that the tactic is a well-known scam and urged residents not to comply with any demands.
Notifications from the Ninth Circuit Court of Florida are normally delivered through official mail on court letterhead or served in person, authorities said. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the court system never communicates arrest threats by phone and will not request payments, gift cards, or personal identifiers during a call.
Officials in both Orange and Osceola counties said their agencies are receiving multiple reports from residents who were contacted by these scammers in recent days. The calls often appear to come from spoofed local numbers, adding to their realism.
Deputies urge anyone who believes they may have been targeted to contact verified fraud hotlines. In Orange County, residents can call 407-836-2023, while Osceola County residents can report concerns at 407-742-2421.
Authorities also remind the public that legitimate jury duty communications will include clear instructions, documentation, and an official case number—never threats of immediate arrest.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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