June 21, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff’s Office officials report that they have received multiple reports of scam calls from individuals claiming to be our staff. The scammer states they are a Sheriff’s Lieutenant, claims that a loved one has been arrested, and that the District Attorney’s Office is offering diversion treatment if a bond is paid.

Please know these calls are fake. Our staff will never call to demand any payment over the phone. Scammers often spoof numbers to appear legitimate and try to create a sense of urgency so you act without thinking. Scam calls like these are becoming all too common, and it’s important to be cautious when answering phone calls. 

If you receive a suspicious call like this, hang up immediately and report it to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209.385.7445 or through our Sheriff's Office website: MercedSheriff.com under the Online Reporting section.

Source: Merced County Sheriff’s Office

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