Ed. Note: The following article is a news release provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is warning Santa Clarita Valley residents against calls from scammers representing themselves as Sheriff’s Department employees.

The caller usually tells the resident that there has been a warrant 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 either get a Money Order, conduct a wire transfer, or buy a gift card, usually Green Dot, and send it to “pay the fine.”

Be alert and be advised, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department or Government Agency will never call and solicit money for fines.

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department does not solicit warrant information by phone.

The Sheriff’s Department or any Government Agency will NEVER ask you to get a Money Order, gift card, or wire transfer.

Sheriff Department personnel will never go to your home to collect a fee for a warrant.

Be aware, 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.

How To Stop Phone Scams

Phone Scam Thieves are just that “Thieves” they will try and trick you into giving them money and information.  If you receive a call protect yourself, your information and DO NOT SEND MONEY!

If you receive a phone call, always verify who the caller truly is, DO NOT use a phone number they provide you as verification. Usually numbers provided by the thief will go to a voice recording/message. Call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station to verify any solicitation.

If you have sent money or believe that you are a victim of a crime, please call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and 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 at (800) 593-8222.

You can also file a complaint on the DCA website.