Front Page  »  

Paso Robles police warn community about phone scam

October 21, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

The Paso Robles Police Department is warning the public about a phone scam aimed at extorting money from local residents. Con artists are using technology to spoof the department’s phone number to deceive victims into sending payments.

In this scam, fraudsters pose as police officers and call victims on the telephone, falsely claiming that payment is required to avoid arrest for various claims, such as missing jury duty. The scammers often demand payment in the form of gift cards.

These calls are not from the Paso Robles Police Department and are entirely fraudulent.

The department does not call individuals with threats of arrest or demands for payment of any kind. Officers ask the public to not share personal information over the phone.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a police officer, and it doesn’t seem right, please contact the department directly at (805) 237-6464 to verify the legitimacy of the call.

 


Loading...
Subjects:     
Related:


1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

You would think a lot of scams out there, it would be easy to catch the scammers? For example this is one stemming from posting cars for sale on Craigs list. After just 15 min from posting a car for sale, a text comes along stating they want to buy your car! BUT they need a report, from a sight ending in .VIN. They refuse to accept a carFax, It has to be from .VIN! The next morning, 2 more promised to buy the car, but both demanding the same report! They also said they would pay MORE for the car than the other guy, causing a fake bidding war! And of course when you look up .VIN it is a scam. They are getting really creative! But I am sure there have been people whom have fallen for this scam. SO why haven’t they followed the $ to catch these people? OR simply follow their URL? It seams it would not be a difficult thing to do, having the right tools.


0