BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Local police are reminding the community to be vigilant after one resident was scammed out of thousands of dollars.

Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy says the victim received a call from a male posing as a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy last Friday, Dec. 20.

The scammer convinced the victim that they had missed jury duty and had an active warrant for their arrest. The victim then agreed to pay $14,000 in order to resolve the fake warrant.

Murphy reiterates that local law enforcement will never call and demand money to pay off any sort of warrant.

If you’re convinced you’ve missed jury duty, Murphy advises calling the Whatcom County Courthouse at 360-778-5400 and never a number that a potential scammer gives you.