Thursday, January 01, 2026
21.0°F

GCSO warns of assessor impersonation scam

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | March 31, 2025 12:05 AM

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn the public of a subject impersonating Grant County deputy assessors.  


A member of the public called the Grant County Assessor on Thursday, saying a woman with bleach-blonde hair and a blue SUV showed up to their door claiming to be a deputy assessor. The community member did not allow the woman entry to their home.  


“It's happened one other time before, several years ago,” GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. “The remedy for it is for us to make sure that the public is aware of scams like this, because immediately after last time they did it we put out information saying ‘Hey, watch out for this.’ Afterward, they stopped.” 


Foreman is referring to a situation in December of 2017 in Ephrata. Someone was impersonating a Grant County Assessor, pretending to be an appraiser from the office and asking to be let into homes.  


“They're probably conducting surveillance on the whole and targeting it for future burglary,” Foreman said. 


Foreman recommended residents look for three key things if a Grant County Assessor shows up to their residence. First, the assessor should be driving a white, marked county vehicle with the Grant County emblem on the side. Secondly, the employee should be clearly wearing a county employee identification card. Thirdly, the person should have official county business cards.  


“If the community member thinks that the person may be an imposter, they should call 911,” Foreman said.  


A directory of county staff is also available for reference at https://www.grantcountywa.gov/Directory.aspx.

      


ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON

Mathis sworn into Ephrata council seat
December 30, 2025 5:26 p.m.

Mathis sworn into Ephrata council seat

EPHRATA — On Monday night, the Ephrata City Council and Mayor-Elect Steve Oliver attended a workshop to discuss roles and swear in Oliver and the council’s newest member.

Ephrata’s 2025: A year of infrastructure, parks and branding
December 31, 2025 3 a.m.

Ephrata’s 2025: A year of infrastructure, parks and branding

EPHRATA — As 2025 draws to a close, the city of Ephrata reflects on a year marked by investments and improvements in its water infrastructure, park facilities, buying a new facility and branding initiatives. The city added a new water tower, upgraded its water reclamation facility, installed new park bathrooms, began replacing the playground equipment at Lions Park and formed its first brand.

Port of Ephrata reports 2025 successes
December 30, 2025 3 a.m.

Port of Ephrata reports 2025 successes

Port administration plans for infrastructure growth in 2026

EPHRATA — The Port of Ephrata has marked a successful year of growth and innovation, according to Executive Director David Lanman. The Port's accomplishments include infrastructure upgrades, new services like Jet A fuel and Hertz rental cars, as well as collaborations with area partners to create opportunities.