MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is warning residents of scammers impersonating law enforcement.
“Fraudsters may try to trick unsuspecting victims into providing their personal information or sending money by pretending to be law enforcement agents or representatives of other government agencies,” according to the DA’s Office in a news release July 23.
In one such scam, a scammer calls claiming to be a process server attempting to locate an individual and asks for personal information. Another variation involves a scammer claiming that money must be paid to bail a loved one out of jail.
Yet another scammer may claim that a warrant is out for failing to comply with a jury duty summons.
“Never send money to persons that contact you over the phone or over the internet and seek immediate payment of money,” stated the DA’s Office. “Scammers will try to intimidate potential victims — the best way to protect yourself is to hang up.”
Anyone who is unsure if they are speaking to a true law enforcement officer should ask for that person’s name and agency. Then look up that agency’s public number online or in the phone book and call the agency directly.
Scammers may often present some legitimate information, such as a badge or license number, in order to confuse residents, so it is important to independently confirm a call’s legitimacy. Most important, legitimate law enforcement officials will never call residents over the phone to demand payment of money.
“The best way to protect yourself against these types of scams is to educate yourself and your loved ones,” stated the DA’s Office. “We encourage you to talk to your family and friends about these scams.”
Anyone who has been the victim of a scam, or who has information regarding a potential fraud, should file a complaint with their primary police agency (this may be the local police department or Monterey County Sheriff’s Office).
In addition, residents can alert the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office to scams by completing the consumer complaint form located on its website and emailing it to [email protected] or mailing it to the DA’s Office at 1200 Aguajito Road, Suite 301, Monterey, CA 93940, or by calling 831-647-7770.
