Wasco County, OR – Families with loved ones currently in custody are being urged to stay alert this week after officials warned of an active phone scam targeting relatives of inmates at NORCOR, the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility.
According to the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office and Wasco County Community Corrections, scammers are calling family members and falsely claiming they are jail or corrections officials. The callers allegedly demand money in exchange for the release of an Adult in Custody (AIC) or to secure GPS monitoring.
Officials say the scammers often escalate the pressure by threatening that an AIC’s sentence could be extended or negatively impacted if payment is not made immediately.
Authorities stressed that no legitimate corrections or jail staff will ever contact family members by phone to request money, arrange an inmate’s release, change custody status, or set up GPS monitoring. All lawful release decisions and supervision conditions are handled strictly through official court and legal processes.
Community Corrections officials warned that the scam is designed to exploit families during already stressful situations and may involve urgent language, fear tactics, or demands for quick payment.
Family members who receive such calls are urged not to send money, not to provide personal or financial information, and not to continue engaging with the caller. Instead, officials recommend contacting local law enforcement directly if a suspicious call is received.
Kimberly Hulke, a parole and probation officer with Wasco and Sherman County Community Corrections, said agencies are working to ensure the public remains informed and protected as reports continue.
Residents with family members in custody are encouraged to share this warning with others who may be affected.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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