Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents of Jury Summons Phone Scam
Scammers Claim to be from Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a recent jury summons phone scam where someone is claiming to be from the sheriff’s office and asks for payment via cryptocurrency.
How the Scam Works
According to the department, the scammer, representing themselves as a member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, has been calling residents claiming they missed grand jury summons. The scammer provides a fake badge number and informs the victims that they owe $1,500 in court fees.
Paying with Cryptocurrency
The victims are instructed to use CoinFlip terminals (also known as Bitcoin ATMs) to buy Bitcoin and transfer the Bitcoin to the scammer’s cryptocurrency wallet. Once the payment is received, the scammer’s phone number is disconnected.
Phone Numbers Used in the Scam
According to the sheriff’s office, the phone numbers used in the scam were internet phone numbers created by the scammer and canceled after the scam was completed.
Warning from the Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office wants to warn the public of scammers representing themselves as members of Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, especially someone attempting to use the fictitious name Sergeant Locker. They are also reminding residents that the sheriff’s office will not ask anyone to pay fines using cryptocurrency or over the phone.
What You Can Do
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office asking for payment, do not give out any personal or financial information. Hang up the phone and contact the sheriff’s office directly to verify the legitimacy of the call.
Conclusion
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is taking steps to warn residents about this scam and prevent further victims. It is essential for residents to be aware of these types of scams and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.
FAQs
Q: Who is behind the scam?
A: The scammer is using the name Sergeant Locker and claiming to be from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Q: How do I know if the call is legitimate?
A: The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will not ask you to pay fines using cryptocurrency or over the phone. If you receive a call asking for payment, hang up and contact the sheriff’s office directly to verify the legitimacy of the call.
Q: What should I do if I’ve already fallen victim to the scam?
A: Report the incident to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
