Marion County, OR – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about an ongoing phone scam where callers impersonate sheriff’s deputies and demand money over the phone.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the scammers often claim that victims have “missed jury duty” or have “active warrants” and must pay fines immediately to avoid arrest. Deputies emphasize that these calls are fraudulent and that the agency will never request payment through the phone or electronic methods such as Bitcoin or gift cards.
Officials say scammers may even spoof caller IDs to appear as the “Marion County Sheriff’s Office” or use real employee names to appear legitimate. If a call feels suspicious, residents are urged to hang up and contact the non-emergency line directly at 503-588-5032.
The Sheriff’s Office also notes that deputies will never meet individuals in parking lots, kiosks, or gas stations to collect payments. “If you did have a warrant, we wouldn’t call to warn you—we’d show up in person,” the statement reads.
Authorities urge the public to trust their instincts and report any suspicious calls immediately.
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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