PORT ANGELES — A scam caller impersonating Clallam County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Hollis has prompted the agency to release a bulletin advising citizens to hang up the phone.
A male caller with a Southern accent has been making the calls from the number 360-559-2955.
“Please do not respond to this caller,” the Wednesday bulletin said.
“Hang up and ignore any messages he leaves.”
Hollis on Thursday said he had heard several reports from people who received calls from a male claiming to be Hollis seeking money.
“I’m sure there’s been more,” said Hollis, who does not have a Southern accent.
The caller impersonating Hollis uses threats of search warrants or arrest warrants to try to divert money from would-be victims, Hollis said.
Sheriff’s Office Administrative Coordinator Lorraine Shore said the agency received at least 10 reports of the scam on Wednesday alone.
“They’re from all over,” Shore said.
Shore added that Clallam County is a “target-rich environment” for phone scams because of its older population.
“Our county is prime real estate for scammers because of our demographic,” Shore said.
The scammer left a voicemail greeting claiming to be Hollis on the number from where the scam calls are originating, Shore said.
Hollis said this was the first case he had encountered where a scammer attempted to impersonate a specific law enforcement officer.
Anyone with information or questions about the phone scam is asked to phone Shore at 360-417-2262.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.