By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Somebody is pretending to be Sheriff John Snaza, and its not his twin brother.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office says they’ve had several complaints from citizens who have received a phone call from the sheriff, telling them there is a warrant for their arrest if they don’t pay taxes, in cash.
Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza
He identifies himself as “Sheriff John Snaza”, according a department spokesperson. The caller ID even shows up as the sheriff’s office main number, 360-786-5500.
The phone calls follow within a few moments an initial call from someone claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service demanding the supposed back taxes, according to spokesperson Lt. Cliff Ziesemer.
Ziesemer says the public needs to know neither the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office or any other law enforcement agency would make phone calls asking for money.
“If you or anyone else you know receives these types of calls, know that it is a scam, and hang up,” Ziesemer writes in a news release.
Ziesemer asks folks to report any such calls to Thurston County Communications at 360-704-2740.
Sheriff John Snaza is the twin brother of Rob Snaza, who was just elected sheriff of Lewis County.