New ID theft scam ... using jury duty no less

I just learned of a new identity theft scam that consumers need to watch out for. The New Jersey judiciary is warning consumers about a potential identity theft scam where the identity thieves pose as jury managers to obtain consumers' personal identifying information such as their Social Security numbers.

Apparenlty, these identity thieves pose as officers of the Court and call potential jurors and request their personal identifiers for use in jury duty. They then use this information to steal the consumers' identities.

The New Jersey judiciary warns "'The New Jersey Judiciary does not and has never asked for personal identifiers over the phone, by e-mail or in person,' said Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts. 'Furthermore, the Judiciary does not make follow-up phone calls nor send e-mails to jurors. Those contacts are scams. All notifications to potential jurors are conducted through the U.S. Postal Service.'"

Judge Grant's advice is good for consumers everywhere. Watch out for this scam and never, NEVER, give out your Social Security number to anyone that calls you.