Scammers identifying themselves as employees of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office continue to target community members — and people still are being fooled by the ruse.

Sgt. Levi McKenny, the sheriff’s office public information officer, said in an email Thursday, Aug. 27, that the sheriff’s office has noticed a recent uptick in the scam, but added that it’s “been around for years.”

Here’s how the scam works: An intended victim receives a phone call from someone claiming to be an employee of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Callers claim to be sergeants and in some cases might use the real names of department employees. (Scammers also use text messages and emails.)

In some instances, the scammers appear to call from official phone numbers or provide fraudulent callback numbers with official-sounding voicemail inboxes. They often already have some personal information about their victims.

The scammers warn of warrants, missed jury duty or unsettled legal issues. In some cases, they offer to take bail money so that jailed family members can be released. The scammers ask for payment or personal information and often threaten arrest. They usually offer to take payment digitally, through cryptocurrency, phone apps or at a kiosk.

McKenny said the sheriff’s office will never ask for money by phone, text or email. The office will not call about missed jury duty or ask for money to release someone from jail. 

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, tell them you plan to call the sheriff’s office dispatch center to verify.

Then hang up. Then contact the dispatch center at 541-682-4150, option 1.