OTHELLO — Phone scams are targeting the Othello area according to a social media post by Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner. The post says that scam callers are using “spoofed” telephone numbers to make calls appear as though they are coming from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
A recent recipient of one of these scam calls told the Sheriff’s Office that the caller told them they had failed to appear for an important court date and that they were now facing arrest. The caller told the person to come to the office to “verify signatures.” When questioned, the caller became aggressive. The caller even used the name of real ACSO staff members to appear more legitimate.
The ultimate motivation for these calls is money. The caller above was told to deposit $3,000 in a “bond kiosk” to clear their name, something Wagner called a “red flag.” Instead of following the instructions, the call recipient contacted law enforcement instead. The caller hung up as soon as a police officer identified himself.
Wagner reminds county residents that law enforcement:
Never call you asking for money, instructing you to pay through kiosks, gift cards or wire transfers.
Never threaten arrest over the phone.
If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and contact local law enforcement. Do not provide personal or financial information to strangers.
“These scammers are persistent, sophisticated, and can spoof numbers to look legitimate. Be cautious, stay alert, and share this information with friends and family, especially those who may be more vulnerable to phone scams,” Wagner said.
