Jury and law enforcement scam warnings issued in Benton, Kittitas & Grant Counties

REGIONAL - Several law enforcement agencies in the region are warning people after several reports of scam calls.

In Grant and Kittitas Counties, the sheriff's office said people received phone calls from a person who claimed to be a deputy. The caller also claimed the person missed a court date earlier in the year and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The caller then told people to send a pre-paid cash card in order to get the matter resolved.

Benton County authorities said a jury scam call has been reported. The caller said the person missed jury duty and even gave a citation number. The caller even used the name of an actual district court judge. The caller said in order to clear up the mistake, the person needed to pay $3,700.

Law enforcement agencies urged people to have conversations with their friends and loved ones in regards to these calls. Government agencies will never ask for cash or gift card payments over the phone to resolve any kind of legal matter.

If you receive a call like this and don't know what to do, hang up immediately and contact a trusted person, or your local police department or sheriff's office. Sometimes if you are unsure, it helps to ask another person. Do not send money or give your personal information over the phone.

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.