LCSO warns of phone scam impersonating law enforcement

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office wants area residents to be aware that the Sheriff’s Office has received calls about a phone scam in which the scammers impersonate Sheriff’s Office personnel to fraudulently obtain money from innocent victims.

The scammer is able to manipulate caller ID to make the number appear to come from local law enforcement. The caller tells the person there is a warrant out for their arrest. The scammer then tells the potential victim that their options are either to surrender themselves to the Sheriff’s Office for arrest, or that they may pay a “reduced” payment of the fine to adjudicate the warrant.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says it will never call anyone to ask for payment over the phone or offer to negotiate for reduced payment in lieu of arrest. Anyone with questions about a warrant may call the courts or local law enforcement.