The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about a recent increase in phone scams involving individuals impersonating Sheriff’s Office personnel and local court officials in an attempt to fraudulently obtain money from victims.
Scammers are contacting unsuspecting individuals claiming they missed jury duty, have an outstanding citation, or have a warrant for their arrest. The caller then pressures the victim to make an immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal consequences.
The scam can appear highly convincing. In many cases, scammers manipulate caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, local courts, or another legitimate law enforcement agency. They may also use the names of real Sheriff’s Office employees or create fake voicemail accounts to sound credible.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office wants the public to know:
• The Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call you to collect money or demand payment over the phone.
• The Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or electronic payment applications.
• The Sheriff’s Office will NEVER threaten arrest over the phone for missed jury duty or unpaid citations.
If you receive one of these calls:
• Hang up immediately.
• Do NOT provide personal or financial information.
• Do NOT call the number back or contact any number provided by the caller.
• Verify any information directly through official channels.
To verify information or report suspicious activity, contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office directly:
• Main Line: 775-328-3001
• Non-Emergency Dispatch: 775-785-WCSO (9276)
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to share this information with family members, friends, and elderly loved ones who are often targeted in scams of this nature.
Additional fraud prevention and safety information can be found at:
https://www.washoesheriff.com/staying-safe.php
