Seattle, WA – The King County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a surge in fraudulent phone calls this week, with scammers falsely claiming residents have outstanding warrants or unpaid taxes.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, callers allege victims missed jury duty or owe back taxes, then pressure them to pay fines immediately. In some cases, scammers pretend to be deputies working with the Social Security Administration or IRS. Officials stress these are scams, and the Sheriff’s Office will never call to demand money or payment over the phone.
The fraudulent calls often use “spoofed” numbers that appear to come from official lines, including the Sheriff’s Office or local courts. Scammers may even use real officer names to sound legitimate. Victims are typically told to purchase prepaid cash cards or retail gift cards and provide the codes over the phone. Once funds are transferred, the money is gone and cannot be recovered.
The Sheriff’s Office urges residents to hang up immediately if they receive such calls. Anyone with concerns about a warrant or jury duty status should contact the courts directly. Reports of these scams can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission.
“These criminals sound professional and use high-pressure tactics,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “But remember: law enforcement will not demand money over the phone under any circumstances.”
