Santa Barbara Residents Report Scam Phone Calls

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday that many residents have reported scam phone calls from a caller who claims to be a Sheriff’s deputy. In the scam, the caller tells residents there’s a warrant out for their arrest because they failed to show up for jury duty. In order to clear their record, the caller demands payment over the phone or that the resident buy a pre-paid credit card, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office. Recently, the scam caller has claimed to be a “Deputy Marshall” and has spoken with a thick southern accent, the press release said.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that it does not give arrest warrants or accept payments over the phone. The Sheriff’s Office also urges residents to verify a caller’s name, title, and phone number with the agency they claim to be calling from.

Community members are asked to report all scam phone calls to the Sheriff’s Office.