Grants Pass Woman Loses $3,500 in Scam by Callers Pretending to Be Cops

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Another scam involving callers claiming to be Grants Pass law enforcement personnel using Grants Pass area telephones has emerged, and at least one person has become a victim.

Grant Pass Police Department Scam

In the latest elaborate scam, the caller claims to be Sergeant Moore or Lieutenant Lee and urges you to immediately pay off fines, using Bitcoin, or face being arrested.

The caller then sends a QR code for you to use to pay the money. The scammers spoof the Grants Pass local area code, making it appear to be a local call when it is not- these scams usually originate from outside the U.S.

One person fell victim to this scam yesterday and lost $3,500 that she will never be able to recover. The Grants Pass Police Department asks that the public please not fall for this scam.

Police gave these tips to avoid this scam:

• Hang up immediately if you receive a telephone call from someone claiming to be the Grants Pass Police Department or any other law enforcement agency, demanding payment over the internet or telephone. Law enforcement does not process payments in this manner and will not call you to collect money for fines, warrants, the policeman’s ball, or anything.
• If you are concerned the caller might be an officer, hang up and call the non-emergency number for the department: 541-450-6260.
• DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER THE CALLER GIVES YOU!
• Spread the word, especially to people who are over-trusting or perhaps afraid of law enforcement.