Snohomish County, WA – Detectives with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office are alerting the public about an uptick in sophisticated phone and text scams that have led to major financial losses across the region.
According to a news release issued Tuesday, victims have lost thousands of dollars in recent incidents involving fraudulent calls and messages that impersonate banks, law enforcement, government agencies, and even tech companies. Scammers often spoof legitimate numbers, making it difficult to detect the fraud in real time.
Recent reports include a Nov. 5 incident where a victim lost $9,000 after being directed to deposit cash into a bitcoin machine, and a Nov. 4 case in which a senior citizen was scammed out of $32,765 in a fake lottery scheme linked to “Publishers Clearing House.” Other cases involved compromised accounts at Sound Credit Union, BECU, and through mobile device manipulation resulting in unauthorized charges.
Authorities stress that there is no specific institution being targeted. “We’ve seen reports tied to nearly every local financial institution,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
Residents are urged to avoid engaging with unknown callers or texts, never share sensitive information, and always verify claims independently through official channels. Law enforcement emphasized that neither banks nor government agencies will demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
The Sheriff’s Office warns that recovering funds after fraudulent transfers is often not possible. Anyone who suspects a scam is encouraged to report it immediately and remain vigilant as the scams evolve.
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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