SCAM ALERT: Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office warns of scammers

A scam alert from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, they’ve had a number of reports of people saying they were scammed out of thousands of dollars.

The Sheriff’s Office has some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim:

Never give out any personal information or access to your computer to someone on the phone. End the phone call and call the company directly from a known phone number found on the company’s website. No company will make you pay debt with a “gift card.” The Sheriff’s Office said if the caller tells you to go to the local store and get a gift card, it is a scam! Scammers sound like professionals. Google the phone number you’re getting a call from. Never click on a link that comes in a scam email. Go to websites directly.

Anyone with questions should call the Sheriff’s Office at (831) 471-1121.