New phone scam targets Grant County residents
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years AGO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | December 29, 2017 2:00 AM
EPHRATA — Grant County residents are being warned about a new telephone fraud scam using a real company and real Grant County District Court case numbers.
The callers claim to be representing LifeLock, a genuine computer security company, said Sharon Palmerton, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The callers claim they are trying to collect an overdue bill. “The calls sound legitimate as the callers even provide real Grant County District Court case numbers that, upon verification from the district court, do match a former case, just not the resident (the target of the attempted scam).”
The district court case numbers are public record, Palmerton said.
However, “according to a representative at LifeLock, they do not conduct phone collections of any kind,” Palmerton wrote. “The spokesperson also added the only outbound calls they make are to existing members about their membership.”
“Be very wary of anyone calling and demanding money,” said Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones. Some of the potential targets called district court officials “directly to inquire about these ‘cases against them’ and found out they weren’t true. Scammers will stop at nothing to separate you from your money.”
People who want more information can contact the sheriff’s office, 509-754-2011, ext. 3101.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Fed. Judge issues order delaying stop on birthright citizenship
OLYMPIA — A Seattle-based federal judge granted a request from the Washington Attorney General’s Office for a temporary restraining order to delay an executive order that could reinterpret the rules of birthright citizenship issued by President Donald Trump. U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour issued the restraining order Thursday, two days after the AG’s office had filed suit.
4 officers join Quincy PD
4 officers join Quncy PD
Classes, research results, latest tech at 2025 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference
KENNEWICK — Farmers can learn about new methods to fight insects and disease, water use and management, work rules and market conditions at the annual Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Jan. 28 to 30 at the Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Along with the classes and workshops – and a baked potato bar – the conference offers a trade show that fills not one but two buildings. The Washington Potato Commission, one of the sponsors, estimated there would be more than 165 exhibitors. The trade show opens Jan. 28, which is the first day of workshops and classes. Some classes provide continuing education credits that can be applied toward pesticide application license requirements.