Scam Alert -07/09/24

Scammers are beating the heat by staying indoors and are very busy this week!

They are posing as employees of Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and demanding payment for civil and criminal matters. We have received reports of either an Officer Perry, Lieutenant Perry, Deputy Wolf, Deputy Cody and Deputy Diaz so far. They are using a prerecorded message and instructing people to either call a number back to make payment or to take payment to various stores around the area to make a deposit in a kiosk.

It appears that they are using an auto-dialer, so it will keep calling you back. Simply block the number on your phone to stop them.

Other common variations of this scam are being told you missed jury duty, a court appearance or have a warrant and there is now a fine due immediately or you will be arrested. Often times the scammers demand that you stay on the line with them until you have arrived at the destination they have instructed you to go to.

Things to know:

*Law Enforcement never operates in this fashion!!

*It is easy for scammers to “spoof” phone numbers so your caller ID will look like it’s a legitimate number that is calling you. These spoofed numbers also make it look like a local number, where in reality they could be anywhere in the world.

*It is easy for them to obtain personal information about you online so they have just enough information about you to make is appear believable.

*It is okay to HANG UP!

*Do not give them any form of money.

*Do not meet them anywhere.

Please share this with your elderly family and friends or those who do not have regular news sources.