Scammers are at it again and targeting Hermiston residents.
The Hermiston Police Department posted a notice on its Facebook page about a recent scam call received by a local resident on Thursday.
According to the HPD, a woman received calls from someone claiming to be a Hermiston police officer advising of a warrant for her arrest. She reported the man on the other end of the line was “quite aggressive.” The woman had no warrants.
Caller ID indicated some calls she received originated from the HPD, although no one from the department actually called her. Additional calls, however, were from a Florence, Ore., number – 541-305-9894.
A voicemail message at that number stated one had reached the “Hermiston County Police Department.” HPD personnel called the number and left a message but did not receive a call back. HPD called again and this time an adult male answered, identifying himself as a lieutenant with HPD.
“Our REAL lieutenant spoke with the misguided male, advising him he was quite mistaken,” HPD reported. “Suddenly, the man no longer wished to speak with us.”
HPD is advising citizens that legitimate law enforcement officers will never ask you to pay fines or warrants over the phone and will never tell someone NOT to go to the police department if they think they have a warrant.
HPD offered the tips to avoid being the victim of this type of scam.
- Don’t be afraid to hang up on persons trying to get you to send money over the phone, even if they say they are with a police department or county sheriff’s office.
- Hang up and call our non-emergency dispatch at 541-966-3651, or your local law enforcement agency if you’re outside of Umatilla County.
- Make sure and use a number you are familiar with to make that call, or that you’ve found independently.
