The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office wants to make the public aware of an ongoing scam.
We have recently received multiple reports of a person making phone calls to relatives of incarcerated persons in the Fresno County Jail. The caller identifies themselves as an employee with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, or in some cases, specifically as a lieutenant. This scam artist tells the person they can get their loved one out of jail if they pay bail money to them directly. Do not fall for this! The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office wants to make it clear to the public that it never makes solicitations for money or asks for the payment of fines, bonds, etc. over the phone.
Be cautious when answering phone calls. The number displayed on your caller ID may say Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, but it may not be one of our official phone lines. Scammers sometimes spoof the ID in order to entice the citizen to take the phone call. If the caller threatens you or tries to negotiate a payment, it is not a real sheriff’s employee.
These scams are scare tactics that tend to come in waves and often target our most vulnerable populations. It’s important for everyone to stay aware of this trend and have a discussion with family and friends to educate and identify these fraudulent attempts. If you receive a similar call, do not give in to the caller’s demands and do not give them any of your personal information. Please document any information, such as the caller’s name or phone number and report it to the law enforcement agency overseeing your jurisdiction. If you live in Fresno County, our Sheriff’s Office accommodates online reporting for this type of matter. Please visit www.fresnosheriff.org and click on “Report a Crime” located at the top of the page. You should select “Harassing Phone Call” to make your report.
You may also make a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams
