SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Edmonds Police is warning residents of a new scam that is making the rounds threatening arrest if you fail to pay a fine for missing jury duty.
On Tuesday, the Edmonds Police Department took to Facebook to warn residents not to fall for the latest scam.
How it works
- You get a call telling you that you missed jury duty and
- You need to pay a fine
- If you refuse to pay the fine, they threaten to have you arrested.
Except that none of it is true.
Washington Courts wrote on their website:
Scammers can be very convincing, repeating your name, address, Social Security numbers and other information that makes them seem legitimate. Please tell your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors that courts, law enforcement and government agencies do not initiate calls about missing jury service and warrants, and will never ask for payment or financial information over the phone.
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Police advise against sharing any information. Hang up if you receive these calls, as this is not how jury duty notifications work.
The Snohomish County Clerk’s Office and Superior Court are aware of the scam. Their website says:
Snohomish County Clerk’s Office and Superior Court have received reports of citizens receiving telephone calls and emails from individuals who claim to be law enforcement or court staff demanding immediate payment of a fine to avoid an arrest warrant for failure to appear for jury duty. Please be assured staff of Snohomish County Superior Court or the Clerk’s office will NEVER ask past or prospective jurors for financial data such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or Social Security numbers and will NEVER demand the payment of a fine. If you receive such a telephone call you should contact law enforcement immediately.
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This is not the first time this scam has hit the county. Records show that the county has warned about the scam in previous years.
If you want to report a scam, the USA.gov website can help you find where to report it by answering a few questions.
For information about jury duty and scams in Snohomish County, visit the county website here.
If you are unsure if a jury summons is valid, residents can also call the Jury Management office at (425) 388-3386.