Scammers are getting better at making their schemes look and sound legitimate and they are using technology to make phone calls appear as if they are coming from a familiar government agency, the court or a law enforcement agency, known as spoofing.
The caller may know your name and provide what sounds like convincing information, including a case number, the name of a judge or other details that make the call seem official. Caller ID can be spoofed, and bad actors can make calls appear as a legitimate government number.
Then comes the threat: You have a warrant. You missed a court date. You owe money. Criminal charges are pending against you. Unless you pay immediately, you could be arrested.
This is not how the justice system works and the public needs to know that these calls are scams.
The tactics are designed to create fear and urgency so that you act before you have time to question what you are being told. And with spoofing technology, scammers can make a phone number appear on your caller ID that belongs to a legitimate government agency or court.
This is why it is more important than ever to understand how these scams work and know how to recognize the warning signs.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has seen how bad actors use deception, intimidation and technology to target people in our community. These scams can happen to anyone, and they are particularly effective because scammers know that fear and urgency can cause people to act before they have time to think.
Be suspicious if:
• A caller threatens immediate arrest or criminal charges if you do not pay.
• You are pressured to pay immediately or told not to hang up.
• The person refuses to provide a full name, agency or verifiable contact information.
• You receive an unexpected text demanding payment for a court fine or traffic citation.
• You are directed to pay through Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, cryptocurrency, gift cards or another unusual method.
• A message contains misspellings, strange formatting, incorrect logos or suspicious links.
• You are told to appear in court but are not given complete information about where, when or how.
• You are told you owe a judgment even though you were never notified of a lawsuit.
If this happens to you, here’s what you should do:
• Stop
• Don’t click
• Don’t pay
• Verify
• Contact the court using a phone number or website you locate independently.
• Do not use contact information provided by the person who contacted you.
The Superior Court conducts official correspondence through U.S. mail or, in some circumstances, electronic service when a party has opted in. The court does not call or text people to demand immediate payment to resolve a court issue or fine. Court cases can be independently verified through the court’s official records.
Never provide personal or financial information to an unexpected caller, and don’t let anyone pressure you into an unfamiliar payment method.
If you believe you have been targeted or have lost money, report the scam to law enforcement and your financial institution immediately.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping our communities informed and protected as criminals evolve their tactics. By staying alert and spreading awareness, we can stop these scams and keep families safe. To submit a report about fraud, false advertising, or unfair business practices, visit our consumer protection page at www.sandiegoda.com.
Summer Stephan is San Diego County District Attorney
San Diego County District Attorney