PORT CLINTON, Ohio — The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is warning of a phone scam that is affecting local residents.
The scam is common across the country, according an alert from the sheriff's office and Captain Aaron W. Leist. Recently, the sheriff's office has taken phone calls and reports in regards to the scam, which involves threats of arrest for failing to pay fines.
In the phone scams, the suspects typically call victims and impersonate deputies from the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. The suspects initiate contact by claiming that the victim owes fines or court costs from state or federal cases. They often threaten arrest if the alleged payment is not made.
The latest incident highlighted the sophistication of these scams. Utilizing "Spoof" applications, the suspect made it appear that they were calling from a number that belonged to the sheriff's office. When the victim checked his caller ID, the number matched the sheriff's office.
Additionally, some scams have involved the use of actual names of deputies, adding a level of credibility to their demands.
In the alert, the sheriff's office advised the following:
- The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office does not collect fine money directly.
- The Sheriff's Office will never ask you to pay a fine using Bitcoin, gift cards, or money orders.
- The Sheriff's Office will never call you to ask for you to pay a fine or court cost over the phone.
- If you believe that someone is attempting to scam you by saying they work for the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, hang up and call the non-emergency number for the Sheriff's Office at 419-734-4404.
