Scams are on the rise across Nebraska, including scams involving the state’s court system.

What Are Court Scams?

Court scams happen when scammers send fake arrest warrants, traffic tickets, or jury notices. They may contact you by mail, email, phone call, or text, pretending to be law enforcement or court officials. They often claim:

• You missed a court date.
• You failed to appear for jury service.
• There is a warrant for your arrest and criminal charges.
• You have an unpaid parking ticket, toll charge, or traffic ticket

Scammers may demand immediate payment to "avoid arrest" and sometimes use official-looking documents with the Nebraska Court seal, case numbers, and charges.

Important: Nebraska courts never serve arrest warrants by phone, text, or email.

Watch Out for Jury Scams

Be careful of calls or messages from people pretending to be from the court about jury service.

• Nebraska courts will not ask for the following information over the phone or:
  • Payment
  • Your credit card number
  • Your Social Security number should not be provided in an email or over the phone.  On very rare occasions a clerk of the court may need your social security number and will contact you directly.

If someone contacts you asking for personal or financial information about jury service, it is a scam.
Do not give out your information. Contact your local law enforcement right away.

How to Spot a Scam

Scammers use pressure and fear to trick you. Watch for these warning signs:

• They contact you first.  
  Scammers will call, text, or email out of the blue. Caller ID, email addresses, and documents can be faked.
• They ask for personal information.
  Never give your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card information to someone you didn’t contact.
• They demand payment.
  Scammers may pressure you to pay immediately using apps like PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App.
  Real courts will never ask for payment this way.

Verify Court Information

If you are unsure whether a court document, call, or notice is real, contact your local trial court clerk:

• District Court Clerks:
  View Contacts
• County Court Clerk Magistrates:
  View Contacts

Report a Scam

If you have been targeted or think you have encountered a scam:

• Contact your local law enforcement agency right away.
• Report the scam to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division:
  File a Report

Stay alert. Stay safe. Nebraska courts will never contact you by phone, text, or email to demand payment or personal information.