The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Office of the Kitsap County Clerk, is issuing this advisory to warn county residents of an on-going scam that has recently started in the West Sound area.

The clerk’s office has received information that a person purporting to be a representative of the sheriff’s office, with the rank of “major,” has been telephoning county residents to inform them that they have failed to appear for jury service and that a warrant will be (or has been) issued for their arrest.

Typically, the person receiving the call replies that they’ve not received any notice concerning jury duty service. The “major” then informs the victim that they are still responsible for not appearing for jury duty as instructed.

The “major” further advises that to avoid arrest, they must pay a sum of money by credit card in order for the warrant to be “lifted.”

One resident was convinced by this caller and paid-out $2,000.

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office has no role in jury administration. Court services and jury administration are under the sole purview of the county clerk. All communications regarding jury duty are sent to county residents in writing. Warrants of arrest are not issued for failure to appear for jury duty service.

• Neither the sheriff’s office nor the county clerk’s office (or any department of

county government) will initiate telephone communication with residents about

jury duty, nor threaten anyone about missing jury duty. Warrants of arrest are

not issued for failure to appear for jury duty service.

• Questions about jury service should be addressed to the Office of the Kitsap

County Clerk, jury administration, at: (360) 337-7166, #6.