Phone scams abound in, around Modesto

Two local agencies – the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder’s Office and the Turlock Irrigation District – are warning about scams by people purporting to be representatives and making threats to get payment and personal information from their victims.

Kathleen Glendon said she got a call Monday from a man claiming to be from the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

The man said he was calling on an important matter regarding allegations of fraud against her.

She knew it was a scam and hung up on the man before he could order her to get a prepaid credit card to pay a fine and avoid arrest.

But two things set this scam apart from others; the caller sounded American and he was calling from the Clerk-Recorder’s Office number using a method called spoofing.

There are spoofing services for which people can pay to falsify the telephone number and name that appear on caller ID.

To avoid becoming a victim, hang up and call the agency the caller is claiming to represent.

That is how Clerk-Recorder Lee Lundrigan heard Glendon’s story.

Lundrigan warned residents that her office would not call anyone regarding fraud or demanding payment for services they did not request.

Lundrigan said payments to the Clerk-Recorder’s Office – such as for birth certificates or marriage certificates – would be made at the time the documents are requested.

The Turlock Irrigation District on Monday also warned about people posing as officials from the utility.

The district urged people to be skeptical of pushy callers demanding payment or personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account numbers, especially if they threaten to turn off power.

The TID only disconnects power as a last resort after notifying the customer by mail of their delinquent status.

Customers who suspect a caller is not a TID representative are advised to hang up and dial (209) 883-8222.

Phone scams appear to be on the rise over the past few weeks.

A Modesto woman last week reported that a man posing as a sheriff’s deputy called to say her husband had a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear for jury duty. The caller told the couple to get a prepaid credit card for $95 and give him the number so he could complete the transaction through PayPal.

The Internal Revenue Service scam, which demands money in lieu of arrest or civil action for unpaid taxes, also is making its way to many local residents.

The Ripon Police Department issued a press release Monday about the increased number of calls using the scam.

“The IRS will never call you and ask you to send them money,” Lt. Steve Merchant said in the release. “These criminals often target elderly trusting victims, so speak to your parents and grandparents about these issues.”

Merchant said residents should never send money or give personal information to anyone whose identity can’t be verified.

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Phone scams abound in, around Modesto."