Sheriff’s office warns about telephone scam

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office warns about a scam: A caller claims to be with the sheriff’s office.

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens about a scam where an unknown caller claims to be with the Sheriff’s Office.

On April 30, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau was made aware of residents being contacted from 440-3107057, ext. 702, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

When calling the telephone number, an automated system identifies the telephone number as the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. After a person enters the extension 702, an unknown male answers the telephone and identifies himself as Lt. Mike Crum with the Lorain

County Sheriff’s Office Civil Processing.

The Sheriff’s Office has been 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.

Sheriff Phil Stammitti is reminding the public the Sheriff’s Office will not seek or divulge warrant information over the telephone, nor would it solicit funds to clear up outstanding warrants.

Should someone receive a call from the listed telephone number, they should not give out personal information and block all calls coming from the listed telephone number, the release said.

During the investigation, the unknown person was contacted and has since disconnected the telephone number, so citizens should be aware that the man may use a different telephone number.

It would appear the man is using a Phishing scheme.

Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

Should someone receive a suspicious telephone call, contact Detective Lt. Robert Vansant at 440-329-3880.