Superior Court Administration has received more than 20 emails and phone calls from residents in the last week alone
VANCOUVER – Residents in Clark County are being targeted in a wave of jury duty scams. Superior Court Administration has received more than 20 emails and phone calls from residents in the last week alone.
Clark County Superior Court and Clark County District Court do not initiate calls about warrants, fines, fees, or other forms of payments for jury service. Clark County Courts would never ask residents for money over the phone.
Scammers are contacting residents and telling them that they have missed jury service and must either meet with someone or provide banking, credit card, or other information to avoid being jailed. These contacts may occur via phone calls or other methods.
Most scams involve a resident receiving a call advising they missed jury service and there is a citation for a bench warrant. Below are some examples of the interactions Clark County residents have had with jury scammers:
- The caller states that a citation must be paid immediately, or the individual will be subject to arrest, or an arrest warrant will be issued.
- The caller states that District Court Judge James B. Smith or Judge Chad E. Sleight has issued the individual a warrant for a failure to appear for jury service.
- The caller may identify themselves as a law enforcement or court deputy and provide a badge number and phone number.
- The caller may ask for the person’s name, address or social security number.
- The caller may tell the person to stay on the phone and not attempt to disconnect.
- The caller may direct the person to meet them with cash or pay for the citation over the phone.
All of these statements are fraudulent. These scammers can be quite convincing, even calling from spoofed Clark County Sheriff’s Office phone numbers at times.
“If you receive a call from individuals using any of the above tactics, do not give any personal information or pay any sum of money,” said Superior Court Administrator Cheryl A. Stone. “Obtain as much information as you can about the caller and report it to your local police department or the Sheriff’s Office.”
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
Also read:
- POLL: If a sub-district is created, what area should it include?
Clark County residents are asked where a potential C-TRAN sub-district should be drawn if voters are asked to fund light rail operations and maintenance costs. - Trump Education Department bolsters protections for prayer in schools
The U.S. Department of Education issued new guidance reinforcing individual prayer rights in public schools while reiterating limits on school-sponsored religious activity. - Opinion: IBR falsely blaming inflation
Joe Cortright argues that inflation explains only a small portion of the IBR project’s cost increases and that rising consultant and staff expenses are the primary drivers. - Letter: The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $141 million bribe can be better spent on sandwich steel-concrete tubes
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel using sandwich steel-concrete tubes would be a more cost-effective alternative to the current Interstate Bridge Replacement Program design. - Opinion: Washingtonians want affordability, not more taxes, according to our recent survey
Rep. John Ley shares results from a legislative survey showing affordability concerns and opposition to new taxes among respondents, while outlining Republican priorities in Olympia. - Washougal City Council appoints David L. Szyplinski to fill Position 5
The Washougal City Council appointed David L. Szyplinski to fill the vacant Position 5 seat following the death of longtime council member and former mayor Molly Coston. - Opinion: Schumer insults black Americans with ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ comment
Lars Larson argues that Democratic opposition to the SAVE Act contradicts voter support for photo ID requirements and unfairly characterizes minority voters.
