Petersburg Pilot -

A phone scam is circulating in Sitka where callers use a spoof number to make it appear as if the police department is calling, after which they demand money or promise jail time.

According to Sitka police, a woman recently took a call that appeared to be the police department’s main line, and the scammer claimed she missed jury duty and had a warrant out for her arrest.

“The citizen was then instructed to gather money in the form of gift cards,” the press release reads. “To pay a ‘retainer’ so as not to be arrested and mail the gift cards to a PO Box outside of Sitka.”

As...