The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been advised that citizens, across the nation, are receiving phone calls from individuals who are representing themselves as Department employees. The caller ID displays as ‘LA Cnty Sheriff’, which makes it appear as if the call is from the Sheriff’s Department.  The call is not from, nor is it associated with the Sheriff’s Department.

Recent callers have been solicited for lower credit card rates, credit reports and other items dealing with your personal credit.  Never give anyone your information over the phone.  Other calls have told citizens that a warrant was issued for their arrest for failure to appear for jury duty. The caller will tell the victim that they have to pay a sum of money or deputies will come and arrest them. The caller will instruct the victim to get a money order, complete a wire transfer, or buy a gift card (usually Green Dot) and send it for payment of the “fine.”

BE ALERT, BE ADVISED, the LASD or any government agency will NEVER call to solicit money for fines. The Sheriff’s Department does not solicit warrant information by phone. The LASD or any government agency will NEVER ask you to get a money order, gift card, or wire transfer. LASD personnel will also never go to your home to collect a fee for a warrant.  If you have a warrant you will have to pay the fine at the court.

BE AWARE, and NEVER give your personal information to anyone over the phone. DO NOT give callers information about your bank account, pin numbers, social security number or any type of identifying information.

Phone scams thieves are just that: thieves, and they will try to trick you into giving them money and information. If you receive a call, protect yourself, and your information and NEVER SEND MONEY!

If you receive a phone call, always verify who the caller truly is and DO NOT call the phone number they provide you as verification. Usually numbers provided by the thief will go to a voice recording/message or not be answered. Call your local sheriff station or police department to verify any solicitation.

If you have sent money or believe that you are a victim of a crime, please call your local sheriff’s station or police department to report the incident.

If you receive a suspicious phone call/solicitation that you believe is not from a real government agency, please contact The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) at (800) 593-8222. You can also file a complaint on the DCA website at dca.lacounty.gov.