For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1600043 |
| Date Issued: | Jun 17, 2016 - 10:09am |
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Phone scams impersonating Sheriff's Deputies on the rise again |
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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 receiving numerous reports this week about a phone scam in which the scammers pose as Washoe County Sheriff's Office personnel to fraudulently obtain money from innocent victims.
The scammer claims there is an outstanding warrant and that a fine must be paid in order to avoid arrest. The reason for the warrant is represented as being anything from a traffic violation to failure to pay full income tax requirements to the Internal Revenue Service.
The scammer then tells the potential victim that their options are either to surrender themselves to the Sheriff's Office for arrest, or pay a "reduced" payment of the fine in order to adjudicate the warrant.
The scammer provides instruction on how the payment should be submitted, usually through an "eGift" cash 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 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) 328-3001 (option 7).
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.