Roselle Park Police Warn of Jury Duty Phone Scam With Fake Arrest Threats

The Roselle Park Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely say a person missed jury duty and threaten arrest unless they act immediately. Union County Life is passing along the department’s notice, last updated Oct. 9, 2026.

A Roselle Park resident recently received a call claiming they had failed to appear for jury duty. The caller said the resident had to report to a local police department or go to their financial institution to avoid arrest. The resident hung up. A second call followed, and the caller ID showed a number that mimicked the Roselle Park Police Department’s phone line. The resident reported the incident to police, and the case remains under investigation.

The department does not contact residents to enforce jury duty requirements. It also does not offer a choice between going to a bank and going to jail. Caller ID can be faked to make a call appear to come from a legitimate agency.

Police say the scam is designed to make victims panic. The goal is to get them to take out or transfer money before they have time to think, out of fear that they will be arrested if they do not.

The department advises residents to watch for a false sense of urgency. Scammers often insist that immediate action is required, whether they threaten to shut off utilities or claim there is a warrant. Residents should slow down, question the situation and trust their instincts. Scammers may also use frightening claims involving loved ones or legal trouble to force a quick decision.

If a caller claims to represent a police department, a utility or another organization, hang up and call that organization using a verified, publicly listed phone number. Do not rely on a number the caller provided or simply call back the number shown on caller ID.

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Q: How does the Roselle Park jury duty scam work?
A: Callers falsely say the person missed jury duty and threaten arrest unless they act immediately. They may tell the person to go to a bank or a local police department.

Q: Does the Roselle Park Police Department call people about jury duty?
A: No. The department says it does not contact residents to enforce jury duty requirements, and it does not offer a choice between going to a bank and going to jail.

Q: What should I do if I get one of these calls?
A: Hang up. Call the agency or organization using a verified, publicly listed phone number. Do not use the number the caller gave, and do not call back the number on caller ID.