A guy is calling Kitsap County residents saying he’s from the sheriff’s office. He tells people they’ve failed to appear for jury duty, that a warrant has been issued for their arrest, and that if they pay $2,000, he can make it all go away.
But he’s full of shit.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies, including the county clerk’s office, is advising the public that this ongoing scam has resurfaced in the West Sound area.
The caller reportedly identifies himself as Stephen Davenport, a court investigator with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. He tells people they failed to show up for jury service, “grand jury duty,” or committed some other offense, and that a warrant has subsequently been issued for their arrest. He even goes so far as to tell people they should appear in a courtroom at a specific time and date to deal with the warrant.
In order to quash the warrant, the scammer reportedly tells his victims they must pay him money via a prepaid card, such as Green Dot prepaid Visa or MasterCard debit cards, or MoneyPak. He seems to usually ask for $2,000.
People report that the caller sounds credible and believable, and he’s even texted victims a fake ID card, purportedly from the sheriff’s office.
DON’T FALL FOR IT!
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office plays no role in jury administration. Court services and jury administration are under the sole purview of the county clerk.
All communication regarding jury duty is sent out in writing. No department of county government will
The Kitsap Scene is an online news magazine covering everything in Kitsap County.
