From the Cook County Sheriff's Department - July 15, 2025

A Cook County resident stated that they received call from 218-387-3030, and a man with a foreign accent identified himself as "Sheriff Pat Eliasen" and provided a phony badge number. This was done using a “spoofing” app which is defined as making a phone call appear from a specific number. This is both easy and common among scammers. The suspect provided the intended victim with their home address and the last 4 numbers of the victim’s credit card.

Addresses can be found with a simple Google search and if you make purchases online, there are many websites that contain the last 4 numbers of any credit card that you use.

The caller told the victim that there was a purchase of something illegal online and there was now a warrant for their arrest.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) will NEVER call you and ask for money over the phone for any reason. It is highly improbable that the CCSO will call you and demand that you satisfy a warrant over the phone.

Please be aware of anyone who doesn’t sound authentic, and even if they do, call the Sheriff’s Office before completing any transactions over the phone.