The Island Blotter

An Orcas deputy investigated a fraud report and found the caller had been on the receiving end of several Medicare scams—but at least their wallet remained unscathed.

A San Juan resident reported being defrauded and had already contacted their bank to halt the transfer, though no suspect information was available at the time of the report.

A Lopez resident reported that their niece in California fell for a Facebook scam promising federal grant money—turns out, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam.

A deputy investigated a fraud case in Eastsound, proving that some islanders are more creative with their finances than their tourism marketing.

Deputies responded to a fraud call in Eastsound, because apparently someone's idea of creative accounting didn't involve actual accounting.

A caller near Olga reported falling for a phone fraud scheme but has since taken steps to secure their information, which is the grown-up equivalent of locking the barn door after the horse escapes.

An Orcas resident got hit with a fraudulent check from an out-of-state suspect, proving that bad checks really do travel.

Scammers are impersonating Sgt. Peter and claiming you have an arrest warrant, then asking for money—a scheme so transparent it makes a screen door look opaque. If you get this call, hang up immediately and contact the real Sheriff's Office, because the only thing you should be transferring is your skepticism to the trash.