Nature of Incident: Phone Scam Targets Citizens in Ventura County
Report Number: 18-191806
Location: Ventura County
Date & Time: 12-03-2018 @ 12:00 P.M
Unit(s) Responsible: Headquarters Station Investigations
Narrative:
On 12-03-2018, a Ventura resident received a phone call from a male suspect claiming to be a warrant officer by the name of “Paul Hay” from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect told the victim he had an active warrant because the victim failed to appear for grand jury service.
The suspect used (805) 779-4009 to call the victim. As of 12-12-2018, this is still an active number with an automated female voice claiming to be the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The message gives a series of prompts to reach the warrant division, felony division, and misdemeanor division.
This phone number is NOT associated with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The public is reminded that law enforcement does not request payments for warrants over the phone or by requesting the purchase of money cards. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will NOT ask you to purchase a reloadable gift card or Moneypak card for payment of fines related to missing jury duty.
If you believe you missed jury duty or have an unpaid traffic fine, call the Ventura County Court directly at (805) 289-8900 or visit the website at www.ventura.courts.ca.gov.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office recommends that you do not call a phone number that is provided by a scammer or a phone number left on your voicemail requesting a call back. Always do your research utilizing the internet or a phone book before providing any personal information or sending money.
If you have been scammed and suffered a financial loss, contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at (805) 654-9511 to file a report. You can also file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov.
Prepared by: Detective Guillermo Valencia
News Release Date: 12-13-2018
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Guillermo Valencia (805) 654-2360
Guillermo.valencia@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis
