Full Notification

On Thursday August 14, 2014, a Brentwood resident received a telephone call from a number that was identified on caller ID as "City of Brentwood." The caller was offering to sell goods/services, and was asking for payment over the telephone. The person receiving the call became suspicious and hung up the phone. After doing so he contacted the City of Brentwood and learned this was a scam. Residents should be aware that the City of Brentwood does not solicit, nor do they offer to sell services or goods, via the telephone.

Unsuspecting citizens are often lulled into a false sense of security when their caller ID displays a number that returns to a seemingly legitimate business or organization. Citizens should be aware however, that caller ID service is susceptible to fraud. Using a practice known as "caller ID spoofing," callers can deliberately falsify the telephone number and/or name relayed in order to disguise the true identity of the calling party. For example, identity thieves who want to collect sensitive information such as your bank account or other financial account numbers, your social security number, your date of birth or your mother's maiden name, sometimes use caller ID spoofing to make it appear as though they are calling from your bank, credit card company, or even a government or municipal agency. Caller ID spoofing with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value, is a felony criminal offense. Please let the FCC know about ID spoofers by calling 1-800-225-5322, or by filing a complaint at www.fcc.gov/complaints.

For further information on how to identify phone scams and how to handle unexpected or suspicious calls, refer to the Federal Trade Commission guide located at: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-phone-scams

Additionally, if you believe you have received a call from a caller ID spoofer, or from someone suspicious, contact the Brentwood Police Department non-emergency dispatch line at (925)778-2441.