Yamhill County, OR – The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to stay alert as phone scams targeting local residents resurface in 2026. Deputies say the new year has brought the same old tricks — callers pretending to be law enforcement officers demanding immediate payment for alleged fines or missed jury duty.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, legitimate deputies will never demand instant payment, threaten arrest, or request money through digital platforms such as PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or cryptocurrency. Scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make it appear as though the call is coming from an official number.
Officials urge residents to hang up immediately if a caller pressures them to pay or provide financial information over the phone. Once money is sent to a scammer, they warn, it is rarely recovered.
The department is encouraging residents to spread the word — especially to parents, grandparents, and elderly neighbors who may be more vulnerable to these scams. Anyone unsure about a suspicious call should contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at 503-434-6500 (non-emergency) or 503-434-7506 (main office) to verify information before taking action.
Residents are reminded: if a message sounds urgent, threatening, or too unbelievable to be true — it’s probably a scam.
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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