As your sheriff, I want to take a moment to address a persistent and evolving threat that affects not only our county but communities across the nation: scams and fraudulent schemes.

These deceptive practices target people from all walks of life and, unfortunately, they continue to grow in sophistication and frequency.

Scams endure because scammers are highly adaptable.

They exploit every new technology, every emerging social trend, and even crises — like natural disasters or health emergencies — to find new vulnerabilities.

Often, these operations are backed by well-organized criminal networks.

Scammers can be remarkably persuasive, presenting themselves as trustworthy figures or organizations in order to manipulate their victims.

Common scams

Please familiarize yourself with these common tactics currently used by scammers.

Phishing scams: Fake emails, texts, or calls that try to trick you into giving away personal or financial information.

Imposter scams: Someone pretends to be a trusted person — like a government official, utility company representative, or family member — to convince you to share private details or send money.

Investment scams: Promises of high-return investments with little or no risk, often with pressure to act fast.

Romance scams: Scammers create fake online identities and build relationships to emotionally manipulate victims into sending money.

Tech support scams: Calls or pop-ups claiming your computer is infected, asking for remote access or payment to “fix” a problem that doesn’t exist.

Grandparent scams: Fraudsters call seniors, pretending to be a grandchild or loved one in urgent trouble, asking for immediate financial help.

Gift card and wire transfer scams: Any demand for payment using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency should raise a red flag. These methods are difficult to trace and often used in scams.

How to protect yourself

We urge all Clallam County residents to take these precautions:

Be skeptical of unsolicited requests. Do not share personal or financial information over the phone, through email, or via text unless you’re certain of the recipient’s identity.

Verify the source. Don’t rely on contact information provided by someone who may be scamming you. Look up phone numbers or websites independently.

Do your research. Search online for reviews, complaints, or scam alerts associated with the person or company contacting you.

Avoid urgency traps. Legitimate businesses or government agencies will give you time to make informed decisions. Scammers often pressure you to act quickly.

Be cautious with payment methods. Avoid sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Talk to someone you trust. If something doesn’t feel right, share the situation with a friend or family member; they may help you see it clearly.

Report suspicious activity. If you believe you’ve encountered a scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

By staying informed and vigilant, we can all help reduce the impact of scams in our community.

My office remains committed to educating residents and investigating reports of fraud.

If you have questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.

Thank you for being proactive and engaged in protecting yourself and your loved ones.