CRIME BLOTTER

King County Sheriff: Watch for scam phone calls pretending to be law enforcement

May 22, 2024, 7:23 AM

king county scam...

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

Have you gotten a call from someone claiming they’re a cop with an arrest warrant for you? Then you may have been targeted in a scam spreading across the region.

Deputies are being impersonated by scammers hoping to cash out on your faith in the law, according to King County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers are allegedly calling people and threatening them with arrest if they don’t pay a fine.

More local scams: Seattle Aquarium warns guests of nationwide ticket scam

Kitsap County has reported similar instances regarding the scam, with the scammers caught on voicemail.

For some of these calls, the scammers even fool a phone’s Caller ID, identifying the call as a call from a law enforcement official.

“The King County Sheriff’s Office will never call you about warrants or demand payments over the phone,” the King County Sheriff’s Office stated. “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.'”

If you get a call like this, hang up and call your real sheriff’s office.

More from Sam Campbell: Protesters at UW encampment harass, shine laser in eye of photojournalist

You can read more of Sam Campbell’s stories here. Follow Sam Campbell on X or email him here.

Crime Blotter

two-year-old stray bullet...

Frank Sumrall

10-year-old dies after hit with stray bullet in Skyway apartment shooting

A 10-year-old died after being hit by a stray bullet in Skyway Thursday morning.

3 hours ago

Photo: Prosecutors announced last week charges against two teens for the murder of Mingyuan Huang i...

James Lynch

2 Tukwila teens charged with Costco parking lot murder

Prosecutors announced last week charges against two teens for the murder of Mingyuan Huang in a Tukwila parking lot back in January.

19 hours ago

attempted robbery auburn walmart...

Frank Sumrall

Attempted robbery near Auburn Walmart goes awry, victim shoots at suspects

An attempted robbery near a Walmart in Auburn turned into an exchange on gunfire Tuesday morning, prompting a massive police response.

1 day ago

Photo: Seattle detectives are looking for a vehicle involved in a deadly hit-and-run that happened ...

Julia Dallas

Seattle detectives looking for vehicle involved in deadly hit-and-run

Seattle detectives are looking for a vehicle involved in a deadly hit-and-run that happened in the Denny Triangle neighborhood Friday.

3 days ago

Photo: Seattle police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened in Pioneer Square....

Julia Dallas

Seattle officers investigate deadly shooting

Police are investigating a deadly Seattle shooting that happened Saturday around 11:15 p.m. in Pioneer Square.

3 days ago

Photo: King County deputies are searching for this suspect in connection to an assault on a Sound T...

Louie Tran, KIRO 7 News

King County deputies search for suspect in connection to Sound Transit light rail attack

King County deputies are searching for a woman in connection to an assault on a Sound Transit light rail on April 21.

3 days ago

King County Sheriff: Watch for scam phone calls pretending to be law enforcement