CCSO reports increased fraudulent phone calls asking for money

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has reported an uptick in fraudulent phone calls targeting county residents. Scammers are posing as law enforcement personnel or attorneys and falsely claiming the recipient must pay a fine to avoid being jailed or to bail a family member out.

CCSO reminded citizens in an Aug. 10 news release that law enforcement will never call and request money or any other form of payment.

“If you receive a call from a person alleging they are an attorney or law enforcement stating a family member needs money, verify with that family member or call 911 to verify or report the situation,” the news release stated.

Imposter scams, where individuals pretend to be law enforcement or other legal entities, were the top fraud category in 2023 across the United States, with reported losses of $2.7 billion, according to Federal Trade Commission consumer advice.