Fresno County Warns Residents of Phone Scams Targeting Sheriff, Social Services

Scammers have been calling Fresno County residents and impersonating sheriff's employees, sometimes specifically claiming to be lieutenants, and demanding cash payments to secure the release of a family member from the Fresno County Jail, the Sheriff's Office warned in a statement Saturday.

The scheme follows a familiar pressure script: callers promise that a loved one will be released from custody if the family pays directly, over the phone. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said it never solicits payments by phone under any circumstances, making any such call a clear indicator of fraud.

Adding a technical layer to the deception, scammers may spoof the sheriff's office phone number so the incoming call appears legitimate on a recipient's caller ID. The department offered a straightforward test for anyone who receives such a call: anyone who is threatened, pressured to pay, or asked for personal information is not speaking with an actual employee.

Authorities described the scheme as relying on scare tactics and said it frequently targets vulnerable residents. In addition to impersonating law enforcement, callers have also posed as social services representatives, according to county warnings, broadening the range of residents potentially in the crosshairs.

The sheriff's office urged people to refuse payment demands outright, avoid sharing personal details with unverified callers, and discuss the scam with family members who may be less aware of the tactic.

Residents who receive one of these calls can report the incident through the Fresno County Sheriff's Office website by filing under the category "Harassing Phone Call." Complaints may also be submitted directly to the Federal Trade Commission.