For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1400024 |
| Date Issued: | Apr 02, 2014 - 1:34pm |
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Washoe County Sheriff's Office warns residents of a new twist to the "Arrest Warrant" scam |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is sending out a warning to area residents today that there appears to be a new twist to the "Arrest Warrant" scam in which scammers pose as Sheriff's Office personnel to fraudulently obtain money from innocent victims.
The Sheriff's Office has received a number of reports this week from residents who said they were called by individuals claiming to represent the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and saying that the resident owes money on an outstanding traffic ticket.
The caller tells the resident that the resident had been cited for speeding based on a "photo ticket" from an intersection camera. The resident is told that they missed a court date set in the ticket and now owe a certain amount of money.
"This new twist to the arrest warrant scam is concerning to us because we are being told that the callers, who are representing themselves as personnel from the Sheriff's Office, sound very professional and legitimate and are establishing a scenario that sounds believable to the resident," Washoe County Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek said.
"Based on this information, we want residents to know that the Washoe County Sheriff's Office does not use traffic cameras posted at intersections to issue traffic citations, nor do we negotiate fines over the phone as has been the case with some of the residents who have received these fraudulent phone calls," Undersheriff Kuzanek said.
Anyone who has been a victim of this scam, or who receives such a call, is encouraged to take down as much information as possible, such as a name and call back number, without giving any information away. Then, immediately contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at (775) 785-WCSO (9276).
For informaton about how to protect yourself from Identity Theft and other safety tips, visit the "Staying Safe" page at WashoeSheriff.com.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.
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