Beware of law enforcement impostors trying to steal personal info, sheriff's offices say - KATU

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office tweeted about it earlier this week.

"Scammers are again posing as an MCSO employee trying to get money and confidential personal information from community members. We want to remind the public that we DO NOT conduct matters concerning warrant service, missed jury duty or payment of fines over the phone."

And it's not just happening in Multnomah County.

Cecilia Morgan, who lives in Happy Valley, said she got a call on Tuesday afternoon.

She said the caller claimed to be with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and asked her to confirm her name and address.

"When he started speaking to me, he was very evasive and my interactions with police have always been very direct, so that was my red flag," said Morgan.

She said what concerned her even more is that the number on the caller ID was local.

"It said it was a Gresham Oregon phone call and again, it somewhat alerted me, but it could have been an officer’s cellphone for all I knew," said Morgan.

"Unfortunately, these type of scams have been occurring for years and often the scam involves the name of a real law enforcement officer local to the area scammers are targeting," said CCSO Public Information Officer John Wildhaber.

He said CCSO employees will never call and request money over the phone.

Morgan worries others may fall victim.

"It does work on certain people, and I think if they catch you in that right moment when you’re not really thinking, you’re busy with your kids and whatnot, you might be more apt to give out more information," said Morgan.

Deputies say the best thing you can do is hang up and report it to local law enforcement.

source: https://katu.com/news/local/beware-of-law-enforcement-impostors-trying-to-steal-personal-info-sheriffs-offices-say

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