Yesterday, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office alerted the public on Facebook about a growing scam in which perpetrators impersonate law enforcement officers to threaten residents with arrest for various infractions, real or imagined. These scammers demand money from unsuspecting residents, claiming it will resolve outstanding charges, such as failure to appear for jury duty, unpaid ticket fees, or other violations. The primary goal of these scammers is to defraud individuals of their money through threatening interactions.
According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Facebook post, these criminals may employ various tactics in their attempts to convince vulnerable residents to send electronic payments or make a payment in person at the Hall of Justice. However, it is crucial to recognize an essential fact: the Sheriff's Office will never call residents to threaten arrest for any of the mentioned reasons, nor will they demand any form of payment over the phone.
As a measure to protect yourself from such fraudulent schemes, consider implementing the following precautions:
- Refrain from sending money transfers to unverified sources.
- Avoid revealing your personal information to unknown parties.
- Contact the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office or your local police department if you suspect you are being targeted.
