We Will NOT Call & Demand Money for Warrants/Fines - EVER
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is again receiving reports of scammers trying to lie, intimidate, trick, and threaten people into giving up their hard-earned money or personal information, which could leave them vulnerable to identity theft.
Law Enforcement, Courts, or any other government agency will never call you and demand prepaid credit cards, gift cards, or other forms of payment while threatening arrest if you don’t. However, scammers will, so don’t be fooled.
Recently, these criminals fraudulently claimed to be a Deputy with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers insisted the victim pay over $6,000, using gift cards, to have warrants for her arrest to be quashed. Further, she was told she could not pay in person and needed to provide the scammers with the gift card information over the phone, allowing them to steal the victim’s money.
These scammers are very aggressive and convincing. Please do not fall into the falsehood people you know and care about would never fall for a scam like this. These predatory scammers use fear and intimidation to trick unsuspecting victims, most of which have never been in legal trouble causing their fear to outweigh their judgment.
Please take the time to talk to your friends and loved ones about this scam and ones like it. Even when you believe they wouldn’t fall for a scam, making sure they understand is far better than wishing you would have if they happen to fall victim.
People who receive calls from scammers can report the information to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-2 or Crime Check at 509-456-2233.
The FTC website has additional information, tips, and different scamming alerts, and you can also find scam information on our SCAM Warning webpage. (https://www.spokanecounty.org/3980/SCAM-Warnings)