The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) is warning the public about a new nationwide scam.
In the scam, the caller claims to be a law enforcement officer or court official and says the victim can avoid arrest or penalties by making a payment or purchasing a pre-paid card.
The UJS says state courts contact prospective jurors through the U.S. mail — NOT by phone or email — and urges the public to not provide any personal or financial information.
The UJS encourages people to always be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls and trust their instincts. Anyone who still has concerns about what the caller says is encouraged to verify the information directly with law enforcement or court officials.
More information about jury duty in South Dakota is available on the UJS website.