Scammer Pretends To Be Lorain County Sheriff, Targets Residents

ELYRIA, OH — Someone has been posing as a Lorain County sheriff and conning residents. The sheriff's department discovered the scam on Thursday and are investigating the ploy.

According to the sheriff's department, on April 30, detectives discovered someone was calling residents and pretending to be "Lt. Mike Crum with the Lorain County Sheriff's office." The caller used the number 440-310-7057, extension 702. The number has since been disconnected.

"We were made aware of several different schemes involved with this telephone number, ranging from wanting to speak to the homeowner's daughter, to informing the called party that they have an outstanding warrant, and that a fine needs to be paid," a sheriff's department spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the sheriffs would not seek or divulge warrant information over the phone. Sheriffs would also never solicit funds to clear up outstanding warrants. Anyone who calls a resident asking for those things is a con artist.

Investigators contacted "Lt. Mike Crum" and believe he may now be using a different telephone number to try and con Lorain County residents. The sheriffs said he may be "phishing," meaning he is trying to obtain sensitive personal information from people, including usernames, passwords and credit card information. Residents should not give out their personal information over the phone.

Should you receive a suspicious telephone call contact the Lorain County Sheriff's office at 440-329-3880.