HCSO warns residents of scammers impersonating deputies over phone

EUREKA, Calif. — The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office asks residents to stay alert after receiving multiple reports of scammers attempting to collect false fines.

According to officials, the callers are spoofing the HCSO phone number to appear as if they are official before informing the resident that they must pay a fine to avoid arrest. The callers may reportedly know the personal information of their subjects, such as nicknames or former court records. The callers also insist that residents cannot seek help from an attorney on the matter as well.

In a statement, the sheriff's office clarified that while deputies may reach out regarding cases or investigations, they will never demand payment to avoid arrest or dropping a warrant.

Officials have offered the following tips to protect residents from potential fraud better:

1. Spot imposters.
   Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, a family member, a charity or a company with which you do business. Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request – whether it comes as a text, a phone call or an email
2. Do online searches.
   Type a company or product name into your favorite search engine with words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” Or search for a phrase that describes your situation, like “IRS call.” You can even search for phone numbers to see if other people have reported them as scams.
3. Don’t believe your caller ID.
   Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information, so the name and number you see aren’t always real. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. If you think the caller might be telling the truth, call back to a number you know is genuine.
4. Talk to someone.
   Before you give up your money or personal information, talk to someone you trust. Con artists want you to make decisions in a hurry. They might even threaten you. Slow down, check out the story, do an online search, consult an expert — or just tell a friend.
5. Don’t rely on personal information.
   Living in the digital age, access to information is easier than ever. Scammers are often able to get their hands on very personal information, providing it to their victims to make their scam look more legitimate. Don’t trust a scammer who is able to provide your personal information. If you followed the above tips and still aren’t sure, call back at a publicly listed number for the organization from which the scammer claims to be or contact your loved one directly.