Sheriffs Office detectives warn community about phone scams

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office cautions residents about a troubling rise in phone and text scams that have resulted in significant financial losses, with reports of victims losing thousands of dollars. Scammers, often located out of state or overseas, utilize fake phone numbers to impersonate various financial institutions and extract sensitive information. Notable cases include a victim who lost $9,000 after following instructions from someone posing as a Chase Fraud representative. Additionally, an elderly woman fell victim to a lottery scam, losing $32,765 after unknowingly sharing her personal details with scammers posing as government officials. The Sheriff’s Office advises community members to be vigilant and offers crucial tips, such as avoiding calls from unknown numbers and not engaging with robocalls.

Residents are also encouraged to verify the identities of callers claiming to represent banks or government agencies. The importance of reporting suspicious calls is emphasized, as recovering funds once authorized can be challenging. By staying alert and informed, residents can better protect themselves against these scams.