Another warning to the public: Eugene Police Investigations is continuing to receive reports of the ‘warrant scam.’ Scammers will call and impersonate being from a law enforcement agency, then say you have a warrant for failure to appear for grand jury, or some other offense. They will instruct you to pay a fee in lieu of arrest using GreenDot prepaid money cards, or via some other method.
A law enforcement agency would not contact you by phone for a warrant and they will not take payment in lieu of a warrant arrest.
These cases provide an opportunity for a reminder on how to avoid becoming the victim of fraud. Scams are cyclical in nature. Eugene Police recommend to remain careful and skeptical of callers:
If someone asks you for your cash, credit card numbers or other personal information-especially if you don’t know them well-the safest move is to refuse their request and check with the police, or find an independent way to contact a legitimate business and follow up rather than responding right away to the caller.
Don’t give out personal or financial information to someone who calls you. If you are unsure, hang up and independently find the phone number of the alleged represented agency and call yourself. A law enforcement agency will not ask you for this type of information or request that money be sent by way of money order or through Green Dot for any reason.
Beware of high pressure techniques, such as the need to give information or make a decision on the spot.
If it sounds quirky or weird, it probably is.
Also, if you receive a call of this nature, please report the activity to www.ic3.gov.