‘Warrant’ scammers using DCSO captains’ names

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said it received several reports Wednesday and Thursday from citizens saying they got calls from scammer claiming to be captains Scott Beard or Erik Utter and seeking payments for supposed arrest warrants.

Here’s the rest of a news release from the sheriff’s office:

The male caller identifies himself, and explains to the citizen that they have a warrant for their arrest. The man states that the citizen may provide a VISA or credit card number to him in order to avoid being arrested on the outstanding warrant.

The caller also gives information regarding a bail amount, the name or number of a district court and the name of a fictitious Judge.

The Sheriff’s Office wants the public to know that this is fraud, and that you should never send someone money without verifying the information they are being provided first.

It is not common practice for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to advise a citizen they have a warrant over the phone. In most cases a citizen with a warrant will be contacted in person, and the deputy will have proper credentials when serving the warrant.

The Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call citizens requesting any type of payment or bail funds over the phone. Bail can only be paid at the Deschutes County Adult Jail.

Anyone receiving phone calls similar to this in nature is asked to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on the non-emergency line at 541-693-6911 to report it.