The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls last week from citizens reporting they received phone calls with the caller ID showing either “Restricted Caller” or “Clallam County Sheriff’s Office” and the caller states they missed Jury Duty or have a warrant and need to pay a fine or bond.

The scammer has been using various law enforcement officer’s names, including Sheriff Brian King, and has convinced several people to send thousands of dollars to them, county law enforcement officials said.

Scammers are able to “spoof” phone numbers so it appears they are calling from the Sheriff’s Office when in fact they may be in another country, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office noted in a May 31 press release.

“The best way to avoid becoming a victim is to hang up immediately when you receive an unsolicited phone call. No law enforcement agency will ever ask for money in lieu of an arrest or to clear an arrest warrant,” they said

Those with questions about whether a call is legitimate, call the Sheriff’s Office at 360-417-2262. To file a report being a victim a scam, call Dispatch at 360-417-2459 (Option 1).

The Federal Trade Commission has a webpage on how to avoid scams and what to do if you have been a victim of a scam. consumer.ftc.gov/scams.