McMinnville, OR – Yamhill County residents are being warned about a new phone scam in which callers falsely claim individuals have outstanding arrest warrants and must pay fines immediately to avoid jail.
According to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), scammers are posing as deputies and using “spoofed” phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate. Victims are told they can resolve the alleged warrant by paying over the phone — a tactic law enforcement says they will never use.
“YCSO, or any legitimate law enforcement agency, will never call you regarding warrants for your arrest, nor would we request you pay the fine over the phone,” officials said in a public statement Monday.
Authorities advise residents who receive such calls to hang up and contact the non-emergency dispatch line at 503-434-6500 to confirm whether law enforcement needs to reach them.
To stay safe, YCSO recommends never giving out personal or financial information to unexpected callers, avoiding suspicious links, and resisting pressure to act immediately. Scammers often prey on urgency to trick people into sending money quickly.
Officials stress that anyone can fall victim to these tactics, and they are asking residents to help spread awareness — particularly to older adults and other vulnerable groups.
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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