JCSO Warns Community of Rising Scam Calls Impersonating Deputies

Medford, Oregon- The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is alerting residents to a significant increase in scam calls targeting the local area. Reports to the JCSO indicate 20-30 daily instances of individuals receiving phone calls from people falsely claiming to be JCSO deputies. The scammers have also managed to spoof the JCSO’s official phone number, adding to the perceived authenticity of these fraudulent calls.

These calls frequently feature individuals introducing themselves as “Sergeant David Miller” or “Sergeant Matt Hagert.” The JCSO emphasizes that it has no sergeants by these names, identifying these as aliases used by scammers. The names and ranks of these callers may vary over time, a tactic intended to mislead and confuse recipients.

JCSO outlined several scenarios in which it would not contact individuals by phone:

1. Missed appearances for Grand Jury, Jury Duty, or a Jury Summons.

2. Notification of an outstanding warrant, as JCSO prefers in-person contact for such matters.

3. Calls from the Civil or Warrant Division regarding urgent legal issues or documents.

Additionally, the JCSO stressed that it would never request any form of payment over the phone, whether through cash, credit, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other means. Any such request should be treated as a clear red flag, and recipients are advised to end the call immediately.

For the most part, JCSO contacts are limited to active investigations, with rare exceptions that would not involve the scenarios or demands mentioned. Residents are encouraged to share this information widely, especially with those who may not have access to social media, as many community members are receiving these fraudulent calls and, in some cases, complying with the caller’s instructions.

Anyone who wishes to verify the legitimacy of a call purportedly from JCSO is advised to contact the sheriff’s office directly at 541-774-6800.