SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities are warning residents to be vigilant against phone scams involving callers falsely claiming to be with the San Diego Sheriff’s Office.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Office (SDSO) recently posted a reminder on social media cautioning the public about these fraudulent calls. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a sheriff’s deputy demanding money or threatening you, it is advised that you hang up immediately.

According to SDSO, scammers often use the names of real employees or the actual phone number of the sheriff’s department, which can be easily found online. They may also employ Caller ID “spoofing” techniques to make it appear as if the call is coming from a sheriff’s station, substation, jail, or court office.

Victims may be targeted by threats of lawsuits, jail time, or arrest, and could potentially fall prey by providing personal information or money. However, authorities emphasize that these intimidation tactics are common among scammers.

The SDSO website highlights several “Red Flags” to help identify scam calls:

– No SDSO employee will ever contact you by phone to demand money, gift cards, or any other form of payment.

– Calls threatening you with an outstanding warrant are deceptive; outstanding warrants cannot be resolved over the phone and must be cleared through the court.

– To confirm jury service obligations, please visit the San Diego Superior Court’s online juror portal, or call (619) 844-2800.

For more information and additional tips on how to protect yourself from scams, please visit the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office website.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/san-diego-sheriffs-office-warns-of-scams-impersonating-deputies/