July 27, 2026 – Orange County Sheriff's Department officials announce that scammers are getting more convincing every day, but there are still red flags to watch for.
Does the caller sound familiar? Does the story seem too good to be true? Are they pressuring you to act immediately? Those are all common warning signs of a scam.
Remember: The Orange County Sheriff's Department, and other legitimate government and law enforcement agencies, will **NEVER** call you demanding payment for tickets, fines, warrants, or debts, or ask you to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts. Hang up, verify the caller through an official phone number, and never let someone pressure you into making a payment.
When in doubt, hang up.
Source: Orange County Sheriff's Department
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