Telephone scammers demand payment for non-existent crimes
Scammers threaten arrest, demand bail money
Scammers threaten arrest, demand bail money–San Luis Obispo Police Department recently issued a press release stating that in recent months police departments statewide have received several complaints involving a common telephone scam. As part of this scam victims receive a call from a person portraying themselves as law enforcement. The caller typically tells the victim they missed jury duty, received a citation and now have a warrant for their arrest or talk about a family member who has been arrested and needs bail money. Victims are then directed to pay associated fines using Pay Pal or Green Dot cards.
Police departments and the courts will never ask citizens to pay fines using this type of payment system nor will they seek payment over the phone. Citizens who receive similar telephone calls are encouraged to call local law enforcement before sending money or providing prepaid credit card numbers to anyone.
Atascadero Police Sergeant Caleb Davis said that if anyone receives this kind of phone call to not provide personal information and do not pay any money. Davis said these kinds of scams are happening “all to often.”The best response is to just hang up.
Anyone who might have fallen victim to a telephone scam should report it to their local law enforcement agency. For North County, those telephone numbers are:
- Paso Robles Police Department: (805) 237-6464
- Atascadero Police Department: (805) 461-5151 or report the crime through the Atascadero Police Department’s online reporting link.
- San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office: (805) 781-4550
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