Sheriff warns of telephone scam

Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti is alerting citizens and communities of a telephone scam.

Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti is alerting citizens of Lorain County and surrounding communities of a telephone scam. This recent scam involves citizens receiving a telephone call from a male claiming to be Deputy Sheriff Greiner, from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release. Stammitti advises there is no Deputy Greiner employed with the Sheriff’s Office, the release said. The scam involves the subject claiming he is working on a federal case. “Deputy Greiner” says that if you do not comply with his request then warrants will be issued for your arrest, according to the release. The caller may attempt to gain your information by asking you to confirm your address, social security number and date of birth, and/or to purchase gift cards, the release said. The subject may leave a message asking that you call back at 440-368-6107, extension 8, the release said. The recording claims to be from the Sheriff’s Office and offers a switch board menu to choose from. This is not a recording produced by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, according to the release. The Sheriff’s Office does not contact anyone by phone regarding warrant related matters. If in doubt of the caller’s identity and employment with the Sheriff’s Office, call 440-329-3710, the release said. The Sheriff’s Office encourages citizens to notify a local law enforcement agency if any kind of scam call is received and to make them aware of the situation, according to the release.