A scam in which residents receive a phone call from someone claiming to be in law enforcement saying that they need to pay to have a warrant “lifted” for having missed jury duty has hit Snohomish County.

A Sheriff’s Office detective received a call from a woman in her mid-60’s who reported that she had received a call at home from a man who claimed to be a lieutenant with the Sheriff’s Office on March 12.  He explained to her that she had an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty.  He then told her that in order to have the warrant lifted, she would need to purchase a pre-paid credit card and call him back with the account number.

“If someone who claims to work in law enforcement or for the courts calls you asking for payment over the phone or for other sensitive information like your Social Security number, you can guarantee this is a scam,” said Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary. “County employees will never call you to request this information and anyone who does should be reported to the police immediately.”

The scam was first reported by the U.S. District Courts last summer and recently the Sheriff’s Offices in Kitsap and Thurston County have reported similar calls to their residents.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud should call 911.  In addition, anyone can check on-line to verify if they have a warrant with either the Snohomish County District Court or Snohomish County Superior Court.