<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2yfIy7_0vbHKsK600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2yfIy7_0vbHKsK600" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Connor</figcaption></figure><p>Missing jury duty can come with real consequences. You could face a fine, go to court, or even get arrested. </p><p>Scammers know this - and try to trigger your fears to grab your money or get sensitive information.</p><h2>Here’s the Scammers Playbook</h2><p>They start with a phone call (courts never will call) or an email (courts won’t email either.) </p><p>Their sorry story involves someone claiming to be from the police department or your local county court. </p><p>They say you missed jury duty even though you never got a jury duty notice. They’ll tell you there’s a warrant out for your arrest, and the only way to cancel it is to pay a fine. </p><p>If you refuse, they may threaten you with jail.</p><p>They often ask for personal information such as your Social Security number or date of birth to <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-identity-theft">steal your identity</a>. </p><p>They also like giving you a fake sheriff’s badge and case numbers. See below.</p><h2>Please remember - our local court systems will only contact you via mail.</h2><h2>Here are the neon tell-tale signs that you’re talking to scammers</h2><ul><li>Courts never call or ask you for an immediate payment over the phone. No government agency will ever do that. </li></ul><ul><li>Scammers insist that you can only pay with <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/avoiding-and-reporting-gift-card-scams">gift cards</a>, a <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/mobile-payment-apps-how-avoid-scam-when-you-use-one">payment app</a>, <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams">cryptocurrency</a>, or a <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/you-wire-money">wire transfer service</a> like Western Union or MoneyGram because it’s very hard to get your money back if you pay in these ways. </li></ul><ul><li>Only scammers ask for sensitive personal information over the phone, like your Social Security number or date of birth. Courts never will do that.</li></ul><p>If you or someone in your family gets a call or email like this, hang up and never respond. </p><p>Refuse to pay or give them any personal information. </p><h2>Do you think a call or email could be genuine?</h2><ul><li>Hang up and call the court directly at a number you know is correct. </li><li>Learn more about how <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-government-impersonation-scam">scammers pretend to be the government</a>. </li></ul><h2>What if a scammer has contacted you?</h2><p>Tell the FTC at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. </p><h2>Don’t Fall for These 5 Dangerous Common Scams in Washington State</h2><p>The Grandma scam has to be one of the worst scams going on in Washington State. Here are 5 scary scams to avoid in WA.</p><h2>STOP Sharing THESE Facebook POsts. They’re all SCAMS!</h2></div></body>

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Don’t Fall for the Current BIGGEST Scam Effecting WA Residents

Missing jury duty can come with real consequences. You could face a fine, go to court, or even get arrested. Scammers know this - and try to trigger your fears to grab your money or get sensitive information. Here’s the Scammers Playbook. They start with a phone call (courts...