PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) – Officers are warning the public about a telephone scam.
Sgt. Pete Simpson says in the last year and a half, officers have taken several reports from people who claimed that they received a call from someone claiming to be a member of law enforcement.
The caller, Simpson said, told the victim that they had missed jury duty, outstanding fines or a warrant for their arrest. The callers offered that those problems could be taken care of over the phone with a payment, Simpson said.
Other people have claimed that they received calls from people reporting to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other government agency, Simpson said.
The police bureau said law enforcement will never call you and ask for payment over the phone. All official court information will be sent through the mail.
Simpson said if you are a resident of Portland and fall victim to these scammers with financial loss, you are encouraged to file a report by calling the Portland Police Bureau’s Non-Emergency line at (503) 823-3333. If you live elsewhere, you should contact your local law enforcement agency.
The police bureau offered more tips from the Department of Justice and other organizations to protect yourself.