Lane County, OR – The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a recurring phone scam where callers impersonate law enforcement officers to steal money, often demanding payments through Bitcoin or digital transfers.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers have been posing as real deputies or sergeants, claiming the victim failed to appear for jury duty or court. The caller then falsely states a warrant has been issued for the victim’s arrest and pressures them to pay immediately to “avoid arrest.”
Officials emphasized that the Lane County Sheriff’s Office will never ask for money, personal information, or payment over the phone, text, or email. Victims have reported that the scammers’ phone numbers sometimes appear to match the Sheriff’s Office on caller ID, and that the callers often use professional-sounding voicemails and intimidation tactics.
Due to the use of VPN numbers and out-of-state actors, these cases are often difficult to solve. The Sheriff’s Office receives reports of similar scams nearly every day, though most victims recognize the scam before losing money.
Residents who receive suspicious calls are urged to hang up and contact the Lane County dispatch center directly at 541-682-4141. Anyone who has lost money or shared personal information should report the incident to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
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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