Scammers target Happy Valley Business; Happy Valley Police remind community to stay vigilant against fraud

Date

7/12/2024

Please reference case #24-013868

At around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2024, a deputy assigned to the Happy Valley Police Department responded to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, located at 13200 SE 172nd Ave in Happy Valley, to investigate a fraud. While on scene, the deputy spoke with the co-owners of the business, who reported two of their employees had been scammed out of over $1,200.

The employees reported they had received a call from an individual posing as an investigator. The caller claimed to be investigating counterfeit money and instructed the employees to purchase MoneyPak cards with cash from the register. Following these instructions, the employees closed the business, bought the cards at three different stores, and sent photos of the cards to the caller. When the caller demanded they withdraw additional cash from an ATM, the employees became suspicious and reported the incident.

The Happy Valley Police Department urges community members and businesses to remain vigilant against fraudulent phone calls targeting our area. Scammers use tactics like this one to deceive individuals into sending money or provide personal information, among other things.

These fraudulent calls often involve the scammer posing as a government official, law enforcement officer, or representative from a well-known company. They may claim that the victim owes money, needs to pay to dissolve a warrant, has won a prize, or needs to verify personal information. The scammers create a sense of urgency, pressuring the victim to act quickly and avoid consequences.

Here are some helpful tips to protect yourself:

Do Not Trust Caller ID: Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make it appear as though they are calling from a legitimate source.
Hang Up and Verify: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the organization directly using a verified phone number.
Never Share Personal Information: Do not provide personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or credit card numbers, over the phone unless you are certain of the caller's identity.
Be Wary of Unusual Payment Requests: Law enforcement will never ask you for money over the phone.

It is important to remember that you have the right to refuse any request for money or personal information. Legitimate organizations will understand your need to verify their identity and will not pressure you into making hasty decisions.

If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, or you have any information related to the incident at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip

Please reference case #24-013868

Three Clackamas County cities -- Happy Valley, Estacada and Wilsonville -- contract with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office to provide municipal police services.

[END]

Sergeant Ross Clemson, Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Communications Unit