The FBI recently informed local law enforcement of a new telephone scam involving jury duty.

A caller identifying himself as an officer of the court accuses the victims of failing to report for jury duty and states that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The caller states that to have the warrant recalled, the victim must give out personal information such as his or her birth date, Social Security number or credit card number. The caller then uses this information to attack the victim’s credit.

In this scam, the caller has tried to intimidate and frighten victims with an authoritative tone and the threat of arrest.

The Simi Valley Police Department reminds the public not to provide personal information to strangers over the phone. Generally, court officers correspond by the mail system, not phone.

For more information or crime prevention tips, call Simi Valley Crime Prevention Unit specialist JeanMarie Maroskeh at (805) 583-6276.