Sheriff Warns Residents to be Aware of New Phone Scam

The Lassen County Sheriffs Office, after receiving multiple reports of citizens getting phone calls from someone identifying themselves as a Sheriff’s Department employee, is warning Lassen County residents that they are being targeted by a new phone scam.

According to Captain Matt McFarland the person impersonating a Sheriff’s Office employee advises the citizen that they were being fined for failing to appear for Jury Duty. The Caller tells the person they need to pay the fine or go to the Sheriff’s Office if they cannot pay.

McFarland warned that the caller may be using a technique known as ‘caller ID spoofing’ which allows the caller to make their phone number appear to be from the Sheriff’s Office.

“This is a scam,” explains Captain McFarland. “The Lassen County Sheriffs Office does not call citizens asking for fines to be paid over the telephone or by any other electronic means.”

If you receive a phone call from someone identifying themselves as an LCSO employee requesting payment do not provide any personal information or credit card numbers. If you do get one of these scam phone calls please report it to the Sheriff’s Office at their non-emergency phone number, (530) 257-6121.

McFarland asked residents to share news of the scam by passing on details to friends and family.