LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – County officials are urging community members to be on guard after reports this week of Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s phone numbers being spoofed in scam phone calls.
Lt. Steve Brooks said the Lake County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a couple of calls on Monday from members of the public who said they received threatening telephone calls from the sheriff’s office.
One of the calls came from a local business, which reported that they had received a telephone call from someone asking about a loan and requesting payment. The caller identification showed it was from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Brooks said.
Another call came from a citizen who advised a subject presenting himself as a member of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, said he owed money to “Advanced America” and tried to force him to pay or be arrested, Brooks said.
Brooks said the caller identification came back to a different number from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The citizen called Advanced America and they confirmed he did not owe any money.
Central Dispatch confirmed with AT&T that both of the telephone numbers which came up on the caller identification were issued to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, according to Brooks.
Brooks said AT&T advised that there was not a way to prevent criminals from “spoofing” another person’s telephone number. "Spoofing" occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity.
Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally, Brooks said. Additional information concerning spoofing may be found on the Internet.
Brooks said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will never contact a citizen demanding money with the threat of arrest.
Never provide personal information to someone over the telephone, without first checking to make sure the individual or the company is legitimate, Brooks said.
Officials warn of threatening scam calls spoofing sheriff’s office phone numbers
- Lake County News reports
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