Jury service scam sees a return

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Jury Office is warning residents of a scam that is reappearing in the community.

Residents reported receiving threatening phone calls from persons claiming to be Sandpoint Police officers or Bonner County sheriff’s deputies, sometimes using the names of known law enforcement officers. The caller demands personal information for noncompliance with jury service.

Jury Commissioner Daranee Mullaley Humrich said law enforcement would not contact a resident seeking personal information related to jury service. She also strongly recommends not giving out any personal information over the phone.

Those who receive suspicious calls regarding jury service are asked to report the information to Bonner Dispatch by calling the department’s non-emergency phone number (208-265-5525) or the jury office (208-265-1443).

In January 2019, the jury office warned residents of a bizarre jury-service scam involving calls from an Idaho area code. The caller warned the recipient that they had neglected to return a form related to jury service and attempted to convince the person that money would need to be wired via Western Union.

The jury office also does not make threatening phone calls to residents or demand payment and personal information for noncompliance with jury service.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.