08/29/2026
SCAM WARNING FROM THE OTTAWA POLICE DEPARTMENT
We want to make everyone aware of several scams that have recently affected people in our area. Unfortunately, these aren't just attempted scams. People are losing significant amounts of money.
Please take a few minutes to read this and, more importantly, talk about it with your parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, and loved ones.
Recently, someone received a phone call from a person claiming to be a Sheriff's Deputy. The caller told the person there was a warrant for their arrest and that money needed to be paid immediately or they would be arrested.
Please know that a Sheriff's Office or Police Department is not going to call you and demand money to take care of a warrant. If you have a warrant, law enforcement isn't going to negotiate payment over the phone. We will come find you.
In another recent case, a person was contacted by someone they believed was associated with Apple support. The scammers convinced the person that there was a problem involving a service and their checking account.
The person was eventually instructed to withdraw a large amount of money, go to Lowe's, purchase gift cards, and send pictures of the cards to the scammers. They were told this was necessary to get the money put back into their account.
The victim lost more than $15,000.
Please remember one very important thing:
If someone is telling you to purchase gift cards to fix an account, pay a bill, receive a refund, avoid arrest, or take care of some other problem, it is a scam.
Legitimate businesses and government agencies do not conduct business this way.
We have also seen scams involving fake checks. In one case, a person received checks and was told to deposit them and then send some of the money elsewhere.
The checks appeared to be good at first, and the money became available. Unfortunately, the checks were fraudulent. By the time the bank discovered the problem, the victim had already withdrawn and sent the money. The victim was then responsible for paying the bank back.
That person lost more than $10,000.
Scammers have become very good at what they do. They can make phone numbers appear legitimate, use real names and businesses, and create a situation that makes you feel like something terrible will happen if you don't act immediately.
That's exactly when you need to slow down.
If something doesn't make sense, hang up.
If someone is pressuring you to act immediately, talk to someone you trust first.
If someone tells you not to contact your bank, family, or police, that's a huge warning sign.
If someone wants payment using gift cards, stop.
If someone sends you a check and asks you to send some of the money back, stop.
And sometimes the simplest advice is the best: If it sounds crazy, it probably is.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with calling the Ottawa Police Department and asking us whether something sounds legitimate. We would much rather spend five minutes talking with you BEFORE money is sent than take a report afterward when thousands of dollars are gone.
Unfortunately, once money is sent to these scammers, recovering it can be extremely difficult and, in many cases, impossible.
Please share this information, but don't stop there. Talk about it.
These scammers often target elderly and vulnerable members of our community. Check on your parents and grandparents. Talk to your neighbors. Explain these scams to someone who may not see this post.
A simple conversation could prevent someone from losing their savings.
Please look out for one another.
— Ottawa Police Department
