The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office has issued a public warning about a scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement and solicit payment from victims. The scheme involves fraudsters claiming to represent the sheriff's warrant department and demanding immediate payment to resolve alleged warrant matters, according to the agency's alert released Monday, May 4, 2026.
In reported instances, scammers have invoked the names of real officers to lend credibility to their claims. Some have requested payment through digital money transfer services, including Venmo. The sheriff's office emphasized that these fraudulent calls are "always a scam" and urged residents not to comply with such demands.
Law enforcement agencies do not contact people by phone to collect payment for warrant resolution or fine payment, the sheriff's office stated. This distinction is critical: legitimate warrant and fine issues are handled through formal court procedures and official payment channels, not unsolicited phone calls requesting immediate transfers.
The warning comes as the sheriff's office addresses a recurring threat to public safety. The agency had issued a similar alert in November regarding comparable fraud schemes targeting residents in the area.
Officials urged the public to refuse payment requests made over the phone regarding warrant or fine matters. Residents who receive such calls should report the incident to their nearest law enforcement agency rather than engaging further with the caller.
The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office directed residents seeking additional information about identifying and reporting scams to the Federal Trade Commission's official website.
