Williams County Residents Warned About Jury Duty Scam Calls

The Williams County Sheriff’s Office is urging Williston residents to stay alert after a new phone scam surfaced in the area. On Monday, September 22, the department received at least 10 reports from individuals who said they were targeted by callers claiming they had failed to appear for jury duty.

Scammers Use Fake Jury Duty Fines, Demand Payment in Bitcoin

The scam follows a familiar pattern: the caller insists the victim missed jury duty and now owes a fine. The caller then pressures the individual to make immediate payment—sometimes even demanding unusual methods such as Bitcoin. Law enforcement officials emphasize that they will never demand money over the phone, and certainly not in digital currency.

If a Call Seems Suspicious, Trust Your Instincts and Hang Up

Officials want the public to remember a key rule of thumb: if a call sounds suspicious, it probably is. You should never give out personal details, such as your Social Security number, nor provide credit card or banking information to an unsolicited caller.

Verify Jury Duty Calls and Protect Your Personal Information

To verify anything related to jury duty service, residents should contact the Williams County Clerk of Court’s office directly at 701-774-4374. If the issue is law enforcement-related, you can call the Williams County Sheriff’s non-emergency line at 701-577-7700 to confirm whether the call is legitimate.

The Sheriff’s Office also encourages residents to take the following precautions:

Do not provide payment or financial information to unsolicited callers.
Do not share personal details like Social Security numbers.
Report suspicious calls to your local law enforcement agency.

By spreading awareness and staying cautious, residents can help prevent scammers from profiting off this jury duty hoax.

Feeding the Nation: A Look at North Dakota’s Most Valuable Crops

Farming is the backbone of America—98% of the nation’s 2 million farms are family-run, feeding an average of 166 people each year. Though agriculture makes up just 1% of the U.S. economy, it’s rich in tradition and diversity, with more African American, Hispanic, and Latino farmers than ever before. One in four are new to the field, and many have served in the military.

In 2022, U.S. farm exports hit a record $191 billion. According to Stacker, here’s how North Dakota’s top crops ranked by value—and why the Peace Garden State punches above its weight in feeding the world.

Gallery Credit: Scott Haugen