Snohomish County, WA – A new phone scam targeting families of jail inmates is prompting a public safety warning from local authorities.
According to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, callers are impersonating agency staff, including a supposed finance manager, and contacting relatives of individuals housed in the county jail. Officials say the callers allegedly request sensitive personal or financial information and may also ask for updated mailing addresses, claiming a check will be sent for a loved one.
Authorities stress that these calls are fraudulent and not affiliated with the Sheriff’s Office or any legitimate government entity. Residents are urged to hang up immediately if they receive such a call and avoid sharing any personal details.
The scam appears to be circulating this week, though officials did not specify how many people may have been targeted. Law enforcement warns that scams involving impersonation of government officials remain a persistent tactic used to exploit urgency and trust.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that it will not request personal or financial information over unsolicited phone calls. Anyone unsure about a call’s legitimacy is encouraged to contact the agency directly through official channels.
This type of scam may particularly impact families already under stress, as well as younger residents unfamiliar with common fraud tactics.
Authorities are asking the public to share the warning to help prevent further incidents and protect vulnerable individuals.
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