Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials have been advised that citizens have been receiving phone calls from individuals who are falsely representing themselves as Sheriff’s Department employees.

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The caller usually tells the citizen 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.” 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or any government agency will never call and solicit money for fines.

Related: Santa Clarita Crime Report Highlights Warnings, Robbery, DUI Checkpoint

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department does not solicit warrant information by phone.

The Sheriff’s Department or any government agency will never ask to get a Money Order, Gift Card or wire transfer.

Sheriff Department personnel will never go to resident’s home to collect a fee for a warrant. Never give personal information to anyone over the phone.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

Do not give callers information about bank accounts, pin numbers, Social Security numbers or any type of identifying information.

Always verify who the caller truly is, do not use a phone number they provide as verification.

Usually numbers provided by the thief will go to a voice recording/message. Call the local Sheriff Station to verify any solicitation.

If have sent money or believe that you are a victim of a crime, please call your local Sheriff’s Station or Police Department 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. Residents can also file a complaint on the DCA website.

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