FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which a caller pretends to be a high-ranking member of the department and pressures people into sending money to get a loved one out of jail.
The sheriff’s office said it has received multiple reports of a person making random calls to residents and identifying himself as a ranking member of the agency.
The caller, who is described as having a strong Southern accent, is a fraud and does not work for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
In documented cases, the scammer tells people they can secure a loved one’s release from jail by paying a fee through cryptocurrency or digital payment services such as Zelle or Cash App.
The requested amount can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The caller also claims the incarcerated person will be given an ankle monitor and assigned to an intervention program, and that once the program is completed, the ankle monitor can be returned to the jail for a full refund.
The sheriff’s office said those claims are false and urged residents not to fall for the scam.
The agency said it never solicits money or asks for payment of fines over the phone.
These scams are scare tactics that tend to come in waves and often target elderly people and others in vulnerable situations.
Residents should talk with family and friends to help educate them and identify fraudulent attempts.
Anyone who receives a similar call is urged not to comply with the caller’s demands and not to provide personal information.
Residents are asked to document any available details, including the caller’s name or phone number, and report any scam calls to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111.