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SCAM ALERT: Alameda County Sheriff's Office Impersonation
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF A NEW SPECIFIC SCAM
Be aware of a fraudulent scheme where callers claim a family member currently held at the Santa Rita Jail is eligible for early release due to facility overcrowding. The scammer then demands a payment for an "electronic ankle monitor program" to facilitate the release. This is a scam facilitated by the scammer obtaining information available to the public through the acgov.org Inmate Locator database or other public record systems.
If you receive a call, text, or email from someone claiming to be associated with the ACSO, DO NOT provide any requested information or money. Neither ACSO, the Department of Public Safety (DPS), nor any other local, state, or federal law enforcement agency will ever contact you to demand payment for:
•Early release ankle monitor programs
• Missed court appearances or Grand Jury summons
• Payment in lieu of arrest
• Payment to clear active warrants
The standard collection methods for scammers are Bitcoin, Western Union/electronic funds transfer, MoneyPak/Green Dot, Vanilla Reload, and gift cards.
Even if the caller sounds convincing because they (1) call from a local number, (2) refer to you by name, or (3) have other personal information about you, it is a scam! Play it safe and never agree to send money or meet up with someone from an unsolicited contact.
Scammers are resourceful and will continue to create scams. If you believe you are being targeted, hang up and contact the Alameda County Sheriff's Office directly via our official non-emergency line at (510) 667-7721. You may also report fraudulent activity through the FTC Report Fraud portal at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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