The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lancaster Station is passing the word to county residents about a phone scam in which a criminal poses as a law enforcement officer and tricks a victim into paying a fine or warrant using PayPal or a gift card.
Here’s the story from the LASD:
Last night, we were contacted by a victim who shared with us that they had received a phone call from an individual falsely identifying themselves as law enforcement personnel. He indicated to the victim that they had a warrant out for the victim’s arrest and made the victim purchase PayPal cards in order to avoid arrest. Of course, this was false, and the victim lost over $1,000.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lancaster Station at 661-948-8466.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the P3 Tips mobile app on Google Play or the Apple Store or by visiting http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Please keep in mind that NO member of our department, station or any other law enforcement agency will ever ask you to wire or transfer them money or pay for any type of fine or warrant using PayPal, iTunes cards or any other form of gift card.
Should you ever receive a phone call like this, please follow these steps:
1. Ask for the person’s name, title and what agency/station/department they work for.
2. Contact that agency/station/department directly. Do NOT use the callback number the individual gives you, but instead ensure you are calling the number listed on the agency’s website.
We hope these tips will prevent you from falling victim to this scam and that you have a wonderful holiday season.
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1 Comment
I received this type of call several weeks ago and, suspecting it was a scam, immediately called the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Office. They could not have been LESS interested–and when I offered them the callback number and recorded message, they declined to take either. Nice. I still have the recording from the individual impersonating a law enforcement officer (which, I believe, is a felony). Is it just me? Very frustrating.