SACRAMENTO– The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is alerting the public about fraudulent social media accounts impersonating CAL FIRE and soliciting donations. CAL FIRE does not solicit donations from the public, either in person or online. CAL FIRE actively maintains verified social media accounts recognized by the blue or gray checkmark. CAL FIRE proudly categorizes them ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Have you received a strange call that appears to be from the Social Security office, or one warning you that your social security number has been suspended? Some people in the 559 area code have recently been alarmed to find this sort of potentially disturbing scenario unfold when they pick up the phone. Now, the public is ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of several phone and email scams circulating throughout Madera County. Though specific details may vary, these scams typically contain one or more of the following characteristics: Requesting people provide or confirm their Social Security number Informing people they are eligible to receive a financial grant/payment, but must pay ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens about a man who has been making phone calls to residents throughout the county impersonating a sheriff’s sergeant regarding outstanding warrants. This is a scam! The Sheriff’s Office will never request funds or personal identifying information over the phone. If you receive a phone call of this nature, please ...

BASS LAKE – It’s an old scam. Someone sends you a check and asks you to deposit it, then send them back some of the money, citing any of a variety of sketchy reasons. You deposit the check, only to discover later that it was bogus. The bank takes back all the money and you’re left holding the bag for ...

FRESNO – California Highway Patrol (CHP) Dispatch Centers is warning the public that they have have received several 911 calls since mid-November 2018 of suspicious people posing as disabled motorists in order to receive money from passing drivers. The vehicles have been described as dark colored SUVs, many of which have out of state license plates. If motorists don’t stop, ...

MADERA – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware that a man has been making phone calls to citizens throughout the county impersonating a sheriff’s sergeant regarding outstanding warrants. THIS IS A SCAM. The Sheriff’s Office will never request funds or personal identifying information over the phone. Based on the information provided to the Sheriff’s Office, the man ...

FRESNO – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of ongoing scam phone calls with criminals threatening to shut off power if a payment is not made. PG&E’s Corporate Security department has received several reports in the past few weeks regarding scammers requesting payment on past due utility bills immediately using a Green Dot card ...

CENTRAL CALIFORIA — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is alerting customers in the Central Valley and surrounding areas to be aware of scam activity with criminals posing as PG&E workers. Law enforcement officials in the area have received reports of individuals claiming to work for PG&E going door to door to investigate outages of electric and phone service but ...

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers and tax professionals of a new email scam targeting Hotmail users that is being used to steal personal and financial information. The phishing email subject line reads: “Internal Revenue Service Email No. XXXX | We’re processing your request soon | TXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX.” The email leads taxpayers to sign in to a fake ...