BEND, Ore. — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an active phone scam in which callers pose as sheriff’s deputies and attempt to pressure victims into paying fraudulent fines.
According to officials, deputies have received multiple reports in recent days from residents who were contacted by individuals claiming to be with the Sheriff’s Office. The scammers use phone number spoofing technology to make incoming calls appear legitimate, increasing the likelihood that recipients will trust the caller.
In these calls, victims are falsely told they have missed a court date or are facing criminal charges. The scammers then demand immediate payment, claiming it will prevent arrest or delay legal action.
Authorities say the callers sometimes use the names of real Sheriff’s Office employees to sound credible. However, they often make mistakes, such as incorrectly referring to Sheriff Ty Rupert as “Lieutenant Rupert.”
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement personnel will never call individuals to demand payment, request financial information, or threaten arrest over the phone.
Residents who receive suspicious calls are urged to take the following steps:
- Verify any alleged law enforcement contact by calling Deschutes County non-emergency dispatch at (541) 693-6911.
- Report scam attempts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
- Inform friends, family members, and others who may be vulnerable to scams.
While no financial losses have been reported so far, officials caution that these scams are designed to create urgency and fear, increasing the risk that someone may comply before verifying the information.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
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