Residents of Calaveras County are being warned of a recent uptick in mail theft and telephone scams that are putting personal information at risk. According to a social media post by the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office, deputies have responded to incidents where mail was stolen from several areas, including Messing Road, Toreno Way, and Pettinger Road. This rash of thefts included the prying open of mailboxes and the removal of various items believed to be of interest to identity thieves. The Sheriff's Office advises residents to be vigilant and collect their mail daily to prevent such opportunistic crimes.
The community advisement also highlighted a series of telephone scams, where callers fraudulently claim to be affiliated with law enforcement in an effort to solicit donations for vague causes. These fraudulent calls sometimes lead to an automated recording, and while no monetary losses have been reported, because potential victims have hung up, the risk of identity theft remains a concern. To help counter these threats, the Sheriff's Office has encouraged the public to refrain from giving out personal information or money to suspicious callers.
Recognizing the critical role that community reporting plays in law enforcement, the Sheriff's Office reminds citizens to report any instances of mail theft, scams, and any suspicious vehicles or individuals. By doing so, the Sheriff's Office can employ more targeted policing methods. Reports help analysts establish crime trends, which in turn, allow deputies to better allocate their resources to address the areas most affected by crime.
For emergencies, the public should call 911, while the hearing and speech impaired can dial (209) 754-6753 to report crimes in progress. For non-emergency crimes, members of the community can reach the Sheriff's Office at (209) 754-6500, and an anonymous tip line is also available at (209) 754-6030 for those who wish to report crimes or, provide information about suspicious activities without revealing their identity.
