Sheriff’s Office warns of new phone scam in San Luis Obispo County
Callers impersonate law enforcement and demand payment for fake warrants
– The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new phone scam involving individuals impersonating law enforcement and directing victims to a fraudulent website.
The incidents are ongoing in San Luis Obispo County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Officials say the agency has received reports from individuals who were contacted by someone claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office. In these calls, the caller tells the recipient there is a warrant for their arrest and demands immediate payment to avoid being taken into custody.
The Sheriff’s Office reports that scammers are using the names of actual employees to appear credible. Victims are then directed to a website to pay an alleged fine. Authorities say the website, slocso.org, is fraudulent and designed to closely mimic the official Sheriff’s Office website. The site appears similar but includes a payment option that does not exist on the legitimate website.
The Sheriff’s Office states that it will never contact individuals by phone to demand money, request payment for bail, or resolve warrants.
Officials clarified that the official Sheriff’s Office website is slosheriff.org.
Anyone who receives a call of this nature should hang up immediately and report the incident to their local law enforcement agency.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to inform family members, friends, and neighbors about the scam, especially seniors and vulnerable individuals.
The Sheriff’s Office is working with appropriate agencies and federal partners to investigate the incidents.
