Letter to the Editor; Jury duty scams lighten wallets

To the Editor:

As Lincoln County Superior Court Administrator, I want to alert our residents to jury duty scams that are becoming more prevalent across the county and around Washington. We greatly value our citizens willing to serve on jury duty and are very concerned that you might become victims of a scam artist out to take your money, and using the name of the court to do so.

Please be aware that citizens in several Washington Counties as well as around the country have lost large sums of money. Here is how it usually happens: an individual calls or e-mails and claims that you have missed jury duty. They indicate, as a result, a warrant has been issued for your arrest and/or that the Sheriff is en route to arrest you, and demand payment, a credit card number, or a social security number for failure to appear for jury duty. Lincoln County Superior Court will never ask for payment over the phone or by e-mail. Court officials will also never ask for you to purchase a pre-paid card, provide cash or a check to pay for failure to appear for jury duty.

Never give out personal information by phone or e-mail. Please report any suspicious activity of this kind to Lincoln County law enforcement or your local law enforcement.

If you have any questions about jury duty or a court appearance, please call the Lincoln County Superior Court Clerk at 509-725-1401.

Johanna D. Ellis

Court Administrator

Lincoln County Superior Court