Judiciary Warns Against Scams

Please beware of anyone contacting you claiming to be from the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary or any law enforcement agency saying you have an outstanding summons or bench warrant for not showing up to a court date or jury duty. This includes phone calls, emails, or text messages.

Scammers may provide badge numbers, names of real law enforcement officers, and courthouse or government agency addresses to make the call, email, or text sound legitimate. 

The caller ID that appears on your screen may be spoofing a legitimate government phone number, but is not the actual number from which the impersonator is calling.

The Judiciary wants you to know that, generally, the courts or law enforcement would not call or email unless you contacted us first seeking assistance with a specific question. All other communications regarding legal matters are typically handled through the U.S. Postal Service.

Hawaiʻi state court staff do not contact you and ask or demand:

• Proof of your identity such as your name, birth date, Social Security number, credit or debit card number, or other personal or financial information
• Immediate payment of fines by purchasing pre-paid debit or gift cards, sending money to the government via wire transfer, or online payment apps such as CashApp, Venmo, etc., nor require transfer of cryptocurrency to avoid arrest and jail
• Credit card numbers or bank routing numbers
• To meet somewhere (courthouse, police station, shopping center kiosk, etc.) to make a payment
• That you stay on the phone to buy pre-paid debit or gift cards

Protect Yourself from Scams

• If you get a phone call you suspect is a scam, hang up without responding to any questions or pressing any numbers you may be asked to press.
• If you get an email or text claiming to be from the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, but you did not call or email us first, delete immediately. Do not click on anything and do not reply.
• Never use the email or phone number you are given when you suspect a scam.  Contact the organization directly using the phone number or email provided on the agency’s official website.

If you believe you are in danger or if you were threatened by a scammer, call 911.

If you gave personal information or sent money
Please report the incident to the FBI and your local police department.

For Jury Service Questions:
First Circuit (Oʻahu): 808-539-4360 (or email: jurypool.1cc@courts.hawaii.gov) 
Second Circuit (Maui County): 808-244-2757 or 1-800-315-5879
Third Circuit (Hawaiʻi Island): 808-961-7646
Fifth Circuit (Kauaʻi): 808-482-2349

Where to Report A Scam:

The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center	Visit ic3.gov. Provide the name of the person or company that contacted you and the methods of communication used, including websites, emails and telephone numbers.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)	Visit ftc.gov
The U.S. General Services Administration	Visit usa.gov/telemarketer-scam-call-complaints
Within the City & County of Honolulu visit CrimeStoppers Honolulu	Visit CrimeStoppers Honolulu at  honolulucrimestoppers.org/sitemenu.aspx?ID=606&

For more information about scams and how to protect yourself: See Hawaii’s Fraud Prevention & Resource Guide 3rd Edition