Whatcom County woman reports losing $14,000 to scammer who claimed she had missed jury duty

Jack Belcher

December 26, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.·1 min read

A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office vehicle parked on October 21, 2024, in Bellingham, Wash.

Authorities say a Whatcom County woman who was the victim of a fraudulent scheme reported losing $14,000.

The woman said she received a phone call from a man claiming he was a deputy with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The man told her she had missed jury duty and their was a warrant for her arrest. The woman complied with his demands, instructions and threats, and paid money to “resolve” the fraudulent warrant, according to Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

No suspects have been identified.

Slater said law enforcement officers never call individuals and ask for money to pay off a warrant, and people should instead hang up as any similar call is a scam.

Anyone convinced they missed jury duty should call the Whatcom County Courthouse at 360-778-5400 to clear up the matter.

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