Teen scammers in SLO and Paso Robles are asking for fake school donations, police say
San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles police are searching for teenagers who have been running door-to-door scams asking residents for donations for fake school trips.
In San Luis Obispo, a group of male teenagers has been going door-to-door identifying themselves as high school students and asking for cash or checks for school-related travel expenses, according to a San Luis Obispo Police Department news release.
Police confirmed with San Luis Obispo High School staff that the solicitation was a scam and they are trying to identify suspects in the case.
In Paso Robles, police suspect a teenager was running a similar scam.
Officers stopped a car last week near Paso Robles High School, and the 17-year-old driver fled, leaving the car in a residential driveway, according to a Paso Robles Police Department Facebook post.
Police apprehended the teenager and searched his vehicle. Officers found a manila envelope containing allegedly forged documents asking for donations for the high school’s Field Studies Collaborative program, the post says.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office told Paso Robles police the same teenager also allegedly collected donations in San Luis Obispo.
Police encourage residents in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles to be vigilant when approached for donations.
Anyone who believes they’ve been the victim of such scams should contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department at 805-781-7312 or the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-237-6464.
