JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is alerting residents to a growing phone scam involving individuals impersonating law enforcement officers, including a caller claiming to be “Sheriff Aaron Grissom.”
According to a statement from JCSO, the scammers are contacting individuals and falsely stating that there are civil documents that need to be picked up. Officials say the intent behind the calls is to pressure victims into sending money or revealing personal information. In many cases, the scammers request payment through untraceable methods such as Bitcoin or gift cards — a hallmark of fraudulent activity.
Aaron Lewis, a representative from the Sheriff’s Office, emphasized that these scam calls can appear alarmingly legitimate. “They even have an ability to spoof the phone numbers. We get calls like, ‘Hey, the call came from your office,’” Lewis said. Caller ID spoofing allows scammers to manipulate the phone number that appears on a recipient’s screen, making it look like the call is coming directly from a government office.
The Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public that no law enforcement agency will ever request money over the phone. Officials urge anyone who receives a suspicious call to hang up immediately and contact the agency directly using an official phone number.
“These types of scams can be particularly harmful to vulnerable populations who may not realize they’re being targeted,” Lewis added.
Victims of such scams often face significant difficulty recovering lost funds, and the process can be lengthy and complex. The Sheriff’s Office recommends sharing this information with friends and family, especially those who may be more susceptible to such tactics.
Anyone who believes they have been contacted by a scammer is encouraged to report the incident to local authorities.