Phone scammers able to manipulate caller ID

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has been receiving numerous reports about a phone scam in which people pose as sheriff’s office personnel to fraudulently obtain money.

Scammers are using names of  sheriff’s office employees and are able to manipulate the phone technology so the caller ID shows an actual sheriff’s office phone number.

The scammer tells the person there is a warrant out for their arrest for a certain amount of fine. The potential victim is told to either surrender themselves to the sheriff’s office for arrest, or that they may pay a reduced payment of the fine to adjudicate the warrant.

The scammer provides instruction on how the payment should be submitted, usually through an “eGift” cash card or similar payment to a specified account or name given by the caller.

Although the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office will sometimes make calls to inform someone about a warrant, the office will not ask for payment over the phone or negotiate for payment in lieu of arrest.

Anyone who has suffered a loss as a result of this scam is encouraged to take down as much information as possible, such as a name and call back number, without giving any information away. Thencontact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at 775.328.3001, ext. 7.