Counties warn of juror-ID theft scam

Officials in Kane and McHenry counties are warning residents to beware of a possible identity theft scam in which people are mailed a bogus juror summons asking a person to mail back a form that includes their Social Security number.

Jurors for the 16th and 22nd Judicial Circuits are not required to provide this information and people that do receive a form requesting this information should call their local police department.

“It's an ingenious little scam. You send something that's quasi-official looking” and ask them to return it because it's their civic duty, said Dan Wallis, 22nd Judicial Circuit court administrator. “It's unfortunate someone would use that in an attempt to steal someone's identity.”

Wallis said McHenry officials, who summon about 160 people a week to serve as jurors, put out the warning a pre-emptive measure, and that reports of the scam were not widespread.

Elgin police also warned residents about receiving bogus juror questionnaires and affidavits in the mail.

“We're being more proactive,” said Cherie Aschenbrenner, Elgin's crime prevention specialist and elderly service officer, noting no Elgin residents have complained about the scam yet.

A message left with the Kane County Jury Commission was not immediately returned. Residents can call (630) 232-3466 if they have questions about a summons they receive in the mail from Kane County.

The McHenry County Jury Commission Office asks that information be mailed to the McHenry County Jury Assembly Office at 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, 60098. If residents receive documents asking them to mail information to a different address, they should call police or the jury commission office at (815) 334-4390.