Scam Alert: Phony 9-1-1 Solicitation

King County has issued an alert about a scam in which someone calls and solicits money for 9-1-1 database services. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to local police.

Residents in Washington and other states have reported receiving calls from someone requesting money for 9-1-1 services. The caller claims that residents must pay a fee to register their house in a 9-1-1 database so first responders can locate the home in an emergency. The caller also requests names and medical information from the residents.

This is a scam, RPIN says. 9-1-1 services are funded through dedicated 9-1-1 excise taxes on telephone bills and by other local government funds. Any request for 9-1-1 funds over the phone constitutes fraud, and residents who receive these calls should hang up and report the suspicious call to their local police or sheriff’s non-emergency phone number. For King County residents, a list of non-emergency phone numbers and websites can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/LinksByZip.

The Regional Public Information Network is hosted by King County and includes information from cities and agencies around the state.