Phone scams targeting El Dorado County

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies are getting lots of reports from victims of phone scams.

The caller tells the victim there is a warrant for their arrest unless they take care of it by making a payment. In some cases the male caller states he is a lieutenant with the sheriff’s office,and tells the victim that they failed to appear for a jury summons. He tells them that there is now a warrant for their arrest, and they need to put some money on a green dot card which can be purchased at Rite Aid or 7-Eleven. The caller has the name, address and phone number of the victim.

In other cases, the male caller states he is with the IRS, and tells the victim they owe a large amount of money to the IRS for tax fraud. He tells the victim that the IRS will place a lien against their property, and they will attach their wages unless they send a payment by Western Union money order.

Neither the sheriff’s office nor the IRS will contact people demanding a financial payment.

If someone receives a suspicious phone call demanding money, they should contact the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office at 530.573.3000.