Scammers Impersonating Law Enforcement

MONTEREY, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni warns Monterey County

residents of scammers impersonating law enforcement.

Fraudsters may try to trick unsuspecting victims into providing their personal information or sending

money by pretending to be law enforcement agents or representatives of other government agencies. In

one such scam, a scammer calls claiming to be a process server attempting to locate an individual and

asks for personal information. Another variation involves a scammer claiming that money must be paid

to bail a loved one out of jail. Yet another scammer may claim that a warrant is out for failing to comply

with a jury duty summons. Never send money to persons that contact you over the phone or over the

internet and seek immediate payment of money. Scammers will try to intimidate potential victims – the

best way to protect yourself is to hang up.

If you are unsure if you are speaking to a true law enforcement officer, ask for that person’s name and

agency. Then look up that agency’s public number online or in the phone book and call the agency

directly. Scammers may often present some legitimate information, such as a badge or license number in

order to confuse you, so it is important to independently confirm a call’s legitimacy. Most importantly,

legitimate law enforcement officials will never call you over the phone to demand payment of money.

The best way to protect yourself against these types of scams is to educate yourself and your loved ones.

We encourage you to talk to your family and friends about these scams.

Anyone who has been the victim of a scam, or who has information regarding a potential fraud, should

file a complaint with their primary police agency (this may be the local police department or Monterey

County Sheriff’s Office). Additionally, you can alert our office to scams by completing the consumer

complaint form located on the Monterey County District Attorney’s website and emailing it to

consumercomplaints@countyofmonterey.gov or mailing it to the District Attorney’s Office at 1200

Aguajito Road, Suite 301, Monterey, CA 93940, or by calling the District Attorney’s Office at (831) 647-

7770.

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