Thurston County Warns of Scam Emails and Calls

County Officials Warn of Scam Emails and Calls Targeting Residents October 5, 2026 CONTACT: Susan Melnyk, Chief Communications Manager, (360) 867-2097 or [email protected] UPDATED: Monday, October 5, 2026 County Officials Warn of Intensified Payment Scams Targeting ResidentsScammers are calling and emailing County residents with fake invoices and payment requests. Thurston County officials are alerting residents to a new, intensified fraud attempt targeting county residents who may have used County services. Scammers posing as a County director are emailing permit customers fake invoices and demanding wire transfer payments. Officials say that while the County permitting office accepts electronic fund transfers, it doesn’t demand wire transfers for permitting services. A wire transfer varies from an electronic transfer in that it usually requires an immediate, time-sensitive transaction that incurs a higher fee, and funds can’t be recalled, nor can the transaction be canceled. Officials say if you are expecting an invoice from the County, carefully review any invoice received by email and contact the County building and development permit office to confirm. If someone calls requesting payment by phone, hang up immediately. You can also report suspicious activity to the Thurston County Sheriff’s non-emergency number. What To Do If you get a call – Hang up immediately. Don’t engage in conversation. If you receive an email – Verify a permitting invoice by forwarding it to [email protected] to ask, or come into a County office to verify. If you already got a call or email like this and gave out information – Report it by calling the Sheriff's non-emergency line at at 360-704-2740. If you want to verify your Jury Service – Check the County’s website or call 360-754-4109. UPDATED: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 County Officials Warn of Building Permit & Jury Duty Scam Do not provide your financial information to anyone via email or to a caller over the phone. The County mails invoices via the U.S. Postal Service. THURSTON COUNTY - Scammers posing as County employees or deputies are calling and emailing residents asking for payment and financial details over the phone or by email. This is a scam. The County doesn't call or email requesting payment for services. Most offices and departments ask for in-person payment at the time services are provided while you are in a County facility OR we mail an invoice via the U.S. Postal Service. Original Release Posted: December 2025 County Officials Warn of Jury Duty Scam Targeting Residents Thurston County courts don’t call jurors, and deputies don’t collect fines by phone. OLYMPIA –The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and County Jury Administration today issued a warning to the community regarding a sophisticated phone scam. The County has received reports of scam callers telling residents they missed jury service and demanding money, bank details and confidential personal information. The scammers then make aggressive threats of arrest for “failure to appear.” Officials say scammers are trying to prey on people’s fear of the legal system, but the County’s jury service communications policies are clear: No Thurston County employee will ever call and demand bank account details or social security numbers for a missed a jury summons. If you get a call like this, hang up immediately. It’s a scam. About the Scam Calls The Threat – Callers falsely claim jury duty was missed and threaten arrest. The Demand – Callers demand bank account and social security numbers, or wire transfers, gift cards, or some form of payment to “clear the warrant.” The County Policy – Official jury communications are by mail. If you miss jury service, County employees won't contact you by phone. What To Do If you get a call – Hang up immediately. Don’t engage in conversation. If you already got a call like this and gave out information – Report it. If you want to verify your Jury Service – Check the Count
Source: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/news/county-officials-warn-scam-emails-and-calls-targeting-residents