Douglas County Sheriff's Office Reporting Familiar Scam is Making a Comeback
Subjects posing as officials from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in an effort to scam community members out of their money.
Deputies have once again started receiving reports from people contacted via phone by individuals posing as DCSO employees such as Lieutenant Brad O'Dell and retired-Lieutenant Mike Root.
The scammer will tell the intended victim they have missed a court appearance, owe fines or have a warrant for their arrest and then demand payment. The victim is often directed to immediately make payment or they will face consequences including arrest. These tactics are never used by real law enforcement agencies.
It is critically important that the community is aware of these tactics and shares them with their family members and friends -- especially those who may be vulnerable to falling victim to the scams such as elderly people.
Do not focus too much on specific scam tactics as scammers often change their methods over time. They can easily obtain new phone numbers and change them often. They may use "spoof" programs to make your Caller ID show an agency's actual phone number. They may use the names of actual employees to make the call seem legitimate.
Due to the technology used in these scams -- and the fact that scammers can be located anywhere in the world -- it's virtually impossible to track the scammers or to get your money back. If it happens to you, contact local law enforcement.
