- Administration
- Administrative Bureau
- About the Administrative Bureau
- Administrative Division
- Administrative Services Division
- About the Administrative Services Division
- Civil
- Field Services
- Records
- Records Section
- Bail Agent Registration
- Business License
- CARFAX Accident Reports
- Case Requests
- Concealed Weapons Permits (CCW)
- Convicted Persons Registrations
- Criminal History Requests
- Embassy Letters
- Fingerprints
- Sex Offender/Crimes Against Children Registration
- Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) - For Law Enforcement Personnel Only
- Marijuana Registration Card
- Fee Schedule
- Work Permits
- Community Engagement
- Forensic Sciences Division
- Detention Bureau
- Operations Bureau
- Washoe County Sheriff's Office
- Volunteers
- Home
- »
- Sheriff's Office receiving calls about phone scammers claiming to be the Sheriff
For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1600021 |
| Date Issued: | Apr 01, 2016 - 3:48pm |
|
|
|
Sheriff's Office receiving calls about phone scammers claiming to be the Sheriff |
|
| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office received several calls today about a phone scam in which the scammers pose as Sheriff Chuck Allen to fraudulently obtain money from innocent victims.
After identifying themselves as the Sheriff, the scammer tells the person that they are in some sort of arrears with the legal system and that their options are either to surrender themselves to the Sheriff's Office for arrest or make a payment to adjudicate the situation.
Typically with these types of scams, the scammer then provides instruction on how the payment should be submitted, usually through an "eGift" cash card, pre-paid credit card, or similar payment to a specified account or name given by the caller.
These scam artists use pre-paid phones and many times are not even in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred, making their apprehension difficult.
Although the Washoe County Sheriff's Office will sometimes make calls to inform someone about a warrant, the Sheriff's Office will not ask for payment over the phone or negotiate for payment in lieu of arrest. Anyone with questions about a warrant may call the courts and local law enforcement agencies.
Anyone who has suffered a loss as a result of this scam is encouraged to contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at (775) 328-3001 (option 7), or their local law enforcement agency.
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.