Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
805 Area Code Scam Call

The 805 area code (covering California's Central Coast) is frequently used in scams due to caller ID spoofing, which makes fraudulent calls appear local to gain your trust. This includes fraudulent bank alerts, "high-risk transaction" warnings, and fake prize notifications. These calls often target individuals for personal data or payment, sometimes impersonating financial institutions or law enforcement.

Common 805 Scams

  • Government & Law Enforcement Impersonation: Scammers pose as the Department of Justice or local Sheriff's offices. They may claim there is a warrant for your arrest or a problem with your license to demand immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers.
  • "One-Ring" Scam: Your phone rings once and then stops. Scammers hope you will call back, which connects you to a high-toll international number that racks up expensive per-minute fees.
  • Fake Prize/Lottery: You receive a call or text claiming you won a prize (e.g., Publisher's Clearing House) and must pay "taxes" or "fees" to collect it.
  • Student Loan Forgiveness: Calls claiming to be from a "California Department" offer to forgive student loans to steal personal data.
  • Wrong Number "Pig Butchering": A seemingly accidental "Hello" or "Do you have a minute?" text aimed at building rapport before pitching a fake investment.

Protect Yourself

  1. Do Not Answer Unknown Calls: If it is important, a legitimate caller will leave a voicemail.
  2. Verify Independently: If a caller claims to be from a bank or agency, hang up and call the official number listed on the official government website or your statement.
  3. Register for the National Do Not Call Registry: This helps reduce legitimate telemarketing, making it easier to spot illegal scam calls.
  4. Report It: File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or with the FCC.
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