BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community once again of phone scams involving people pretending to be law enforcement.
In May, KCSO officials sent out a similar warning, after getting reports that the suspect will call the victim from what appears to be the main line of KCSO Headquarters, telling the victim they or a loved one has an active warrant. Officials said the suspect would then tell the victim to pay the fine or risk getting arrested.
The suspect has identified themselves as a Deputy, Sergeant, Lieutenant or other rank within the KCSO. Officials said these types of scams are often targeted toward seniors.
KCSO said that the suspect is using caller ID spoofing to make it appear like the call is coming from the Sheriff's Office, but the Sheriff’s Office does not accept payments for active warrants over the phone. Fines associated with warrants are paid to the courts, and they do not actively solicit warrant payments by phone, KCSO officials said.
If you suspect a potential scam, officials said make sure you call the real number for the agency or business. The Sheriff’s Office Communication Center can be reached at 661-861-3110.
