PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a jury duty scam that has been reported throughout the state recently.
Deputies have received several calls this week from people who had received calls from someone identifying themselves as Sgt. Brad Baker with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. The caller tells the resident they missed jury duty and, as a result, they are going to have a warrant for their arrest.
“The scammers are getting very convincing and try their best to con you out of money or personal information,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
This is one of many scams that circulate each year, the Sheriff’s Office said, adding that scammer phone numbers are always “spoofed” — meaning a false number has been used — a practice that makes it almost impossible to track back to the caller.
In this case, the number the scammer is using is the number for the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, which makes it seem legitimate. It is not, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office does not contact citizens regarding jury duty nor does it call people to let them know they have a warrant, the release said.
Sheriff Bill Benedict said that people receiving unsolicited phone calls should hang up and refrain from providing any personal information.
To report scam calls, contact the Federal Trade Commission’s website at ftccomplaintassistant.gov.
