Full Notification

The Ripon Police Department has received increasing reports of various scams being targeted at local residents. These scams often ask for money, or personal information in one form or another. Some criminals pose as your credit card company; while others pose as official government agencies.

Some criminals tell potential victims they won the lottery; while other criminals tell potential victims that they will issue a warrant for their arrest if money is not sent to them. Criminals often say your relative has been jailed and you need to send money.  Don't fall for these tricks.

The latest scams involve criminals who pose as representatives of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The criminals tell potential victims that to avoid being part of a lawsuit, the need to send money to the IRS, or they pose as an attorney, advising them that to avoid IRS action they need to send money. Criminals also tell potential victims they are from the Department of Justice, and the victim needs to send money to avoid prosecution.

Ripon Police spokesperson Lieutenant Steve Merchant said, "These criminals often target elderly trusting victims, so speak to your parents and grandparents about these issues.  Don't be a victim!”  Merchant said residents should never send money to, or give personal information to anyone whose identity can’t be verified.

The Ripon Police Department can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if citizens have questions or concerns about being scammed.

P.I.O.-Lieutenant Steve Merchant Ripon Police Department 259 N. Wilma Ave. Ripon, CA 95366 209-599-2102 Business 209-599-0262 Desk 209-599-4034 FAX [email protected]