Watch out, SLO County: Callers are posing as police in new identity theft scam
The Atascadero Police Department is warning residents to be wary of an identity theft scam where callers are posing as police officers investigating fraud.
The agency said in a Tuesday news release that scammers use caller ID spoofing technology to make it appear the call is coming directly from the Police Department. The callers claim to be investigating a fraud case and ask for personal identifying information.
Police said “several” community members have reported the scam.
“Reports indicate that the callers often have a noticeable accent and appear to be calling from a call center environment,” the news release said.
The agency asked residents to “remain vigilant and protect their information” and to avoid sharing personal information with a suspicious caller posing as police.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call is asked to call 805-461-5051 to verify whether the call is legitimate.
“Our top priorities are the safety and security of our community, and we urge residents to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity,” the agency said.
