The Placer County Sheriff's Office has issued a scam alert for residents, cautioning against a new wave of fraudulent calls where scammers masquerade as law enforcement officials. In these calls, individuals are falsely claiming to be deputies; one such imposter has been named "Deputy Rivers," allegedly from the Courts and Records Division. The scammers are contacting people and claiming they've missed jury duty, with a warrant out for their arrest, as reported by the Placer County Sheriff's Office.
"They tell victims they've missed jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest, demanding immediate payment to avoid jail time," the Placer County Sheriff's Office stated in a Facebook post. This scam has raised concerns as it preys on the unsuspecting and often elderly members of the community, exploiting their trust in law enforcement and their fear of legal repercussions. The Sheriff's Office emphasizes that these calls are fraudulent and not from their actual personnel.
The public is advised to take several precautions if they receive a call that feels suspicious. "Do NOT send money, Do NOT share personal or financial information," the Placer County Sheriff's Office warns. Instead, they recommend hanging up and contacting their non-emergency line at (530) 886-5375 to verify any dubious contact. This step is crucial to prevent potential victims from falling prey to this deceptive scheme and to avoid the financial and emotional distress that can accompany such scams.
