The following is a release from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

Several Snohomish County residents reported on Nov. 10 that they received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputy with a warrant for their arrest. The caller said that the victim would need to pay over the phone by purchasing “Green Dot” money cards at a local store.

The caller requires the victim to remain on the phone while the transaction is completed. The caller then instructs the victim to go to the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett to have the warrant quashed and receive a refund. Obviously the money is not returned.

“First of all, no county employee, including those in law enforcement, will call you to request payment over the phone for anything. Anyone who does should be reported to the police immediately,” said Sheriff Ty Trenary. “Second, a Sheriff’s Office deputy would never call someone with a warrant to warn them that we were on our way to arrest them.”

If you wish to verify that you have an outstanding warrant in Snohomish County, a current list of all outstanding District Court misdemeanor and Superior Court felony warrants is available on-line.

Sheriff’s Office reception staff said they received five similar reports in the last two days.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud should call 911.