Residents along the I-5 corridor are being warned about the return of the "police call" scam. The Eugene Police Department (EPD) has issued a warning about scammers posing as officers, claiming that victims have missed jury duty and have an arrest warrant. The scammers often demand payment through services like Apple Pay or Zelle to resolve the matter. Authorities advise the public to remain cautious, as these scams can deceive unsuspecting individuals.
In a concerning development, the scammers have been known to spoof police phone numbers and use the names of actual EPD officers to make their claims appear more credible. As stated in a release by the Eugene Police Department, "the scam has actually been around for a while and crops back up like a weed in our community." Despite the scam’s lack of originality, it continues to successfully ensnare unwary individuals, urging them to quickly settle nonexistent legal matters financially.
It is important to note that these calls are part of a broader pattern of telephone scams. The scammers use various payment methods, such as cryptocurrency and gift cards, to fraudulently collect money. The Eugene Police Department has stated that no legitimate government agency, including EPD, will ever call to demand payment or inform individuals of an arrest warrant. This is a key guideline to keep in mind when receiving unexpected calls.
If you receive this scam call, the advised action is to hang up immediately. The EPD recommends reporting scam calls to www.ic3.gov. In the case of financial loss, victims can contact the EPD non-emergency line at 541-682-5111 for assistance.
