Sheriff’s office warns of ongoing phone scam
Scammers reportedly using the names of actual sheriff’s office employees to make the calls seem legitimate
– The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about an ongoing phone scam targeting local residents.
The sheriff’s office has recently received four to five calls per day from individuals who report being contacted by someone claiming to be from the sheriff’s office. The caller often says there is a warrant for the person’s arrest, usually related to missed federal jury duty, and demands immediate payment to avoid arrest.
Scammers have used the names of actual sheriff’s office employees to make the calls seem legitimate. In many cases, victims are told to report to the sheriff’s office to pay a fine or are threatened with arrest if they hang up. Payment is frequently requested in the form of gift cards or other non-traceable methods.
The sheriff’s office stated this is a scam.
Officials emphasized that the sheriff’s office does not contact individuals by phone to demand money, payment for bail, or to resolve warrants. The office does not request or accept gift cards or any form of payment for these matters.
Anyone who receives such a call is urged to hang up immediately and report the incident to their local law enforcement agency.
The public is encouraged to inform family, friends, and neighbors—especially seniors and vulnerable individuals—so they are aware in case they receive a similar call.
The scam remains ongoing.
I received a similar call about a year ago. My phone said the call was coming from the sheriff’s office, so I answered. They gave me the same warning that I would be arrested for missing federal jury duty. I hung up and was immediately called by another person, telling me I had hung up on a deputy and that I was in serious trouble. I did feel scared, but my brain told me that a sheriff would not be calling me on a federal matter, and the “sheriff” that called me purported to be in Santa Barbara County, not San Luis Obispo County. Logic prevailed, but my heart was still racing, and I was shaking when I hung up the phone.
I received a similar call about a year ago. My phone said the call was coming from the sheriff’s office, so I answered. They gave me the same warning that I would be arrested for missing federal jury duty. I hung up and was immediately called by another person, telling me I had hung up on a deputy and that I was in serious trouble. I did feel scared, but my brain told me that a sheriff would not be calling me on a federal matter, and the “sheriff” that called me purported to be in Santa Barbara County, not San Luis Obispo County. Logic prevailed, but my heart was still racing, and I was shaking when I hung up the phone.