The following is a release from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

The King County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn you of a scam that has been occurring in the Seattle area over the last couple of years. Someone may call you and identify themselves as a King County deputy or detective and tell you that you failed to show up for jury duty.

But wait there’s more…. once they have your attention they will threaten you with jail time unless you pay a fine immediately. Usually they will request a credit card number over the phone or even ask you to go to a nearby store to purchase a gift card and then tell them the card number.

This is a scam. Do not give them any money.

Fortunately most of the citizens who have called the Sheriff’s Office checking the validity of the call have not given any money to the scammers.

So what should you do if you get one of these calls? Just hang up.

The Sheriff’s Office would never call you about a warrant and ask you to pay over the phone. The scammers are very convincing but do not fall for it. And do not pay anyone over the phone for an alleged warrant for failing to report for jury duty.