SCAM WARNING
Several Thousand Oaks residents have received calls from telephone number (805) 258-7065. The phone number is a recording stating, "You have reached the Civil Processing Unit of the County Sheriff's Department.' The message additionally states, "They process payments for missed jury duty or traffic fines."
The victim is instructed to leave a message or a live person will get on the line. The person / scammer will state they are associated with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and provide a the false name of a high ranking Police Officer.
The victim is told to purchase a MoneyPak card or other re-loadable type gift card and asked to read the numbers off of the back of the card.to the scammer. This phone number is NOT associated with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
If you believe you missed jury duty or have an unpaid fine call the court house directly. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office does not accept re-loadable cards or gift cards and will not ask you to read the number off of the back of the gift card. This is a SCAM!.
NEVER call the phone number that is provided by the scammer or a phone number left on a voicemail requesting a call back. Always do your research before sending money.
If you have been scammed and need to report a financial loss contact Sheriff's Dispatch at (805) 654 9511.
You can file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov or the FBI at ic3.gov.
For additional information contact Detective Tim Lohman at (805) 494-8232
