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Judiciary Warns of Missed Jury Duty, Unpaid Traffic Ticket Scams

August 4, 2025

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 4, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031

Judiciary Warns of Missed Jury Duty, Unpaid Traffic Ticket Scams

PIERRE, S.D.—The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) is warning the public to be aware of scams involving missed jury duty, unpaid traffic tickets and fake arrest warrants.  

UJS and South Dakota law enforcement agencies have received reports of the public getting these scams via text messages and phone calls. The scammers falsely claim that the recipient owes money for missing jury duty or failing to pay traffic tickets. The scammers demand the recipient pay immediately or face a warrant for arrest.    

South Dakota courts and law enforcement will NEVER:

  • Threaten a person or demand money over the phone or in a text message for failing to appear for jury duty or for not paying a traffic ticket.
  • Require immediate payment via cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, or apps such as PayPal or Venmo.
  • Ask someone to provide sensitive information over the phone or in a text or email.

How to Protect Yourself
If you get a phone call or text message that demands information or money:

  • Do not provide the information or payment they ask for.
  • Do not reply directly to the text or email, click on any links, or open any attachments. Scammers often make the messages look like they are coming from a real court or law enforcement agency.
  • Hang up the phone and do not engage with the caller.
  • Reach out directly to your local clerk of courts office or law enforcement agency to see if the call was real. 

Report a Scam:

  • Contact your local law enforcement.
  • Report the scam to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or https://consumer.sd.gov.
  • Report identity theft and learn what to do if your identity is stolen on the Federal Trade Commission's website at https://www.identitytheft.gov.  

Learn more on South Dakota UJS’ court scams webpage at https://ujs.sd.gov/court-scams.

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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.