Source:  Superior Court of California

December 7, 2023 (San Diego) - The San Diego Superior Court has received complaints about individuals trying to scam members of the public by pretending to be court officers or officials.

Source:  Office of the California Attorney General

Photo via Greenwaterbottle1 on Wikipedia

April 30, 2021 (Sacramento) - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning Californians about sham health insurance plans offered by some healthcare sharing ministries (HSMs). These HSMs use misinformation to mislead consumers into enrolling under the guise of offering an affordable alternative to health insurance from the Covered California marketplace. However, unlike Covered California plans, healthcare sharing ministries are not obligated to cover preexisting conditions or guarantee coverage for medical costs or services. As a result, consumers have filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office alleging that their healthcare sharing ministry plans have refused to cover treatments and pay their medical bills.

East County News Service

July 29,2020 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the public to be cautious of telephone calls by scammers posing as DEA employees attempting to defraud and extort victims.

The schemers call the victims, spoofing DEA phone numbers in order to appear legitimate, and threaten arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment for supposed violations of federal drug laws or involvement in drug-trafficking activities unless victims pay a “fine” over the phone, via wire transfer, or through a gift card.

The reported scam tactics continually change but often share many of the same characteristics. Callers use fake names and badge numbers or names of well-known DEA officials and may:

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 15, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - The County’s Health and Human Services Agency is warning anyone who uses an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to access benefits to be aware of a text messaging scam.

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit:  PhotoSpin

September 2, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office warned residents to be careful when donating to charities that promise to help victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The DA’s Office is offering important consumer advice and information to avoid becoming a victim of charity scams.

By Janis Russell

September 27, 2015 (El Cajon)- At the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon last Wednesday, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob hosted a ‘Don’t Get Hooked’ event, geared towards seniors and caregivers. Seniors learned the common types of fraud/scams and how not to get reeled in. They also heard some real life stories of how some elderly people got caught in a scam and the results.

 Jacob teamed up with District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to organize this event and bring more attention to this issue as well as offer advice. Seniors are most targeted because they are trusting.

September 30, 2013 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Water Authority is warning residents to watch out or scam artists posing as fake water agency employees. Recently, imposters have been calling local residents and offering to test their water for pollution or contamination – but they’re likely seeking opportunities for theft or fraud. 

The Water Authority and its member agencies are not responsible for fixing problems or testing inside private residences and rarely have reason to ask for entry. If a water agency were to need in-home contact, someone would call first to make an appointment. If anyone claiming to be a water utility employee comes to your home without an appointment, refuse them entry and contact your local water agency.