By Erik Jones | Lorain Daily
Lorain County, OH — The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam after a recent incident involving one of their own employees. According to an official press release issued on April 17, 2025, a scammer called the employee using a spoofed phone number that made it appear as though the call was coming directly from the Sheriff’s Office.
The caller falsely claimed to be a magistrate from a county judge. He told the employee that a subpoena had been issued back in December 2024, requiring them to appear in court as a witness on April 15, 2025. The scammer had access to private information, including the employee’s full name, date of birth, and home address. He then instructed the employee to report immediately to the Lorain County Jail and asked if they knew the location.
The employee quickly recognized that the call was a scam and reported it.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that it will never call anyone to issue a subpoena or demand they report to jail. Official subpoenas are always delivered in person by a uniformed deputy. Any phone call claiming otherwise is not legitimate.
Residents are being urged to stay alert. If someone receives a suspicious phone call, they should not share any personal information, hang up immediately, and report the call to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office at (440) 329-3709.
Major A.J. Torres is available for additional questions and can be reached at (440) 406-3517 or by email at [email protected].
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the scam and is reminding the public to be cautious of phone calls that seem threatening or unusual. Spoofing scams can appear very real, and they often rely on fear to pressure victims into acting quickly. This incident shows just how important it is to double-check any unexpected demands, even if the call looks official.