SCAM UPDATE – Scammers Pretend to be Local Law Enforcement and Court Officials

Scammers pretend to be someone else to gain credibility. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or someone from a local court, that gets your attention.

Scammers Spoof WSP. On April 25^th, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) issued a press release warning Washington State citizens of scammers using “spoofed” WSP phone numbers to fool citizens into giving the callers their personal information. The scammers identify themselves as an officer, trooper, or detective from WSP telling the citizen that their ID was used in a crime being investigated in another state or country. They ask for personal information for “verification” purposes. If challenged that they are legitimate, the scammers refer to the number on Caller ID and tell the citizen to Google it. The scammers also provide a fake case number if requested.

WSP emphasizes that if they call you, they will not ask for your personal or financial information. If you received a phone call claiming to be from WSP asking for your personal information HANG UP!

Jury Duty Scam in Snohomish County. Scammers often use the jury duty scam to collect money. The Snohomish County Superior Court and the Superior Court Clerk’s Office says that they have been receiving reports of the jury duty scam in the county.

Typically, a citizen receives a phone call or email claiming that they missed jury duty, and that they need to pay a fine for not showing up. The caller will say that they will take payment in gift cards.

The Lynnwood Times quotes the Snohomish County Superior Couth Administrator as saying, “We want to warn the public about this scam and let people know that no one involved in the jury process would ever call to ask for money in connection with jury service.”

The court encourages anyone who receives a suspicious call or e-email that requests money to contact your local police department or sheriff’s office. If you have questions about jury service, call the Superior Court Jury Administration at 425-388-3397.

 

Washington State Patrol:

https://www.wsp.wa.gov/2023/04/26/wsp-phone-numbers-used-in-id-scam/

 

Lynnwood Times:

https://lynnwoodtimes.com/2023/04/24/scams-snohomish-county-230424/