The King County Sheriff’s Office this week issued a warning to residents about a phone scam where people pose as deputies claiming you have a warrant or other legal problem and ask you to pay via credit or gift cards.

Here’s more info from the KCSO:

Scam Alert – Make Sure You Protect Yourself!

Remember, the King County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call you about warrants or demand payments over the phone. Scammers will pose as deputies claiming you have a warrant for missing jury duty, or back taxes, and ask for credit card details or gift cards for “fines”.

They may also leave a voicemail that they need to “speak to you about an urgent matter”.

Here are some pointers to help safeguard yourself against fraud:

• Stay Informed: Be aware of common scam tactics. Scammers often use fear tactics to pressure individuals into providing personal information or payment details.
• Verify Information: If in doubt, verify the caller’s identity! You can call us 24/7 at (206) 296-3311 to verify if we’re trying to contact you. (Keeping in mind that scammers have used legitimate department member’s names in the past).
• Protect Personal Information: Never share sensitive info like credit card details or personal identifiers over the phone unless you’re ABSOLUTELY certain the caller is legitimate.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is – hang up immediately!
• Spread Awareness: Share your experiences to alert and educate others about potential scams.

For more information, please visit:

https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/sheriff/news-media/scam-alert

The post SCAM ALERT: King County Sheriff’s Office warns residents about phone scam involving people impersonating police first appeared on The White Center Blog.