Large-scale Phone Scam Targeting Oregon City Residents, Police Say

OREGON CITY, OR — Police on Wednesday announced city residents were reporting a high number of phone scams this week, with the scam caller asking the resident to pay a fee with either pre-paid Visa cards, i-Tunes cards, Green Dot cards, or other types of pre-paid debit-like cards. Police said the scam caller claims the resident has a warrant out for their arrest, and that phone payment in this rather unusual way will satisfy the court.

The scammers reportedly claim to be from a police department, sheriff's office, or other federal agency, police said, adding that sometimes the scammer even has the resident's name, address, and birthday.

No law enforcement or federal agency, including the IRS, will call and ask a resident to purchase — much less accept payment in the form of — an i-Tunes card or any other pre-paid debit card, police said.

If you believe you've received one of these calls, police advise immediately calling back the agency which the scammer claims to represent to confirm what the scammer has said. After that, call the police.

The scammers can be persistent, police said. Don't give in. The Oregon City Police Department will not call you for money, and neither will any other police agency.

Information about the Oregon City Police Department can be verified by calling 503-496-1600. Residents can also check with Clackamas County Dispatch at 503-655-8211.

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