Whatcom County Sheriff's Office warns residents that law enforcement will NEVER contact you to demand payment.
WHATCOM COUNTY — The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officers and demand immediate payment.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received multiple reports again today involving scam calls impersonating law enforcement. In one reported case, a victim lost more than $4,000 after complying with the caller’s demands.
Officials say the scams follow a familiar pattern and continue to resurface despite repeated warnings.
Law enforcement will never demand payment
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call residents to demand money, threaten arrest over the phone, or request payment to resolve warrants, fines, or investigations.
Deputies advise anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately. If there is concern about the legitimacy of a contact, residents should independently look up the agency’s official phone number and call directly.
Common red flags reported
Investigators say scammers often rely on fear and urgency to pressure victims into paying before they can verify the claim. Reported warning signs include threats of immediate arrest, demands for payment using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, and callers identifying themselves as deputies or officers while providing fake badge numbers or credentials.
Scammers may also spoof phone numbers to appear as if the call is coming from a local law enforcement agency.
What to do if you receive a scam call
Authorities urge residents not to engage with the caller. Do not provide personal information, do not send money, and do not attempt to negotiate. Simply hang up.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized by a scam is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement so investigators can track patterns and warn others.
The sheriff’s office reiterated a simple message to the public: if someone claiming to be law enforcement calls demanding payment, it is a scam. Hang up.
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