'Warrant Scam': Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. Issues Warning

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is warning the public about a scam it has recently become aware of.

Dubbed the "warrant scam," the con involves a caller posing as a sheriff's department employee and telling victims they have an active warrant. Victims are then asked to show up at a Riverside County Sheriff’s Station, but not before stopping to purchase a gift card.

"As a friendly reminder, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department would like to inform its residents that these calls are scams," the department said in a social media post. "The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will NOT call to advise you of an outstanding warrant, ask for payment over the phone, or advise you to purchase a gift card."

Anyone who receives a call like the one described above should call local law enforcement. The sheriff department's dispatch center can be reached by calling 951-776-1099.