07/20/2023
**7-14-23 - SCAMMERS BOMBARDING CLALLAM COUNTY CITIZENS RESULTING IN LOSS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS**
Our county is a frequent target of scammers due to our demographics and today has been a busy day for these thieves!!
The Sheriff's Office received three phone calls today from citizens who were victimized by scammers (Email, Phone and Text)
BITCOIN SCAM:
A Sequim resident was scammed out of $30,000.00 by a caller who convinced him that he was investigating his bank and the citizen needed to withdraw money from his accounts, download a QR Code and go to a Bitcoin machine to deposit the money. The caller convinced the citizen it was the only way to protect his money. Not only did the scammer convince the citizen to give them $30,000 but also had the citizen scan his drivers license and license plate number. This citizen is elderly and suffering from Parkinson's. Once money is put into a Bitcoin ATM machine and the QR code is scanned that money is gone and the citizen cannot recover it.
How To Avoid Cryptocurrency Scams
Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money using cryptocurrency. To steer clear of a crypto con, here are some things to know.
Only scammers demand payment in cryptocurrency. No legitimate business is going to demand you send cryptocurrency in advance – not to buy something, and not to protect your money. That’s always a scam.
Only scammers will guarantee profits or big returns. Don’t trust people who promise you can quickly and easily make money in the crypto markets.
Never mix online dating and investment advice. If you meet someone on a dating site or app, and they want to show you how to invest in crypto, or asks you to send them crypto, that’s a scam.
MICROSOFT SCAM:
Citizens called to report they are being inundated with phone calls from scammers pretending to be from Microsoft and wanting access to their computers.
Protect yourself from tech support scams
Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers use scare tactics to trick you into unnecessary technical support services to supposedly fix device or software problems that don't exist.
At best, the scammers are trying to get you to pay them to "fix" a nonexistent problem with your device or software. At worst, they're trying to steal your personal or financial information; and if you allow them to remote into your computer to perform this "fix," they will often install malware, ransomware, or other unwanted programs that can steal your information or damage your data or device.
IMPERSONATING SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTIES:
Once again, Clallam County citizens are getting calls from a male with a southern accent claiming to be from the Sheriff's Office. The scammer tells the citizen they did not appear for Jury Duty and will be arrested unless they pay a fine (Gift Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin).
Jury Duty Phone Scam
Washington residents have received phone calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers (such as a Deputy Sheriff) or court personnel saying they’ve missed jury duty — and must pay. These callers request immediate payment to avoid issuance of a warrant related to Jury Duty. These payments have ranged from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Typically, the payments are requested to be made via some type of pre-paid card such as "Green Dot."
If you receive such a phone call, do not give any personal, credit card, or banking information. You should hang up and contact law enforcement immediately.
