The Tehama County District Attorney’s Office is warning residents about ongoing scams targeting the community. Officials say the scams are through phone, email and social media.
Tehama County District Attorney Matt Rogers said in a press release that scammers are creating fake social media pages for real local businesses. They contact the businesses’ customers, claiming they’ve won a prize, and trick them into providing personal and financial information.
Residents are urged to verify the authenticity of any social media page before sharing personal details. Rogers suggests visiting the merchant’s official page or calling them directly.
Other scams include the “gift card scam,” where victims are told their credit cards have been compromised. Scammers persuade targets to buy gift cards to resolve the issue, but the scammer ultimately uses the cards like cash.
A recent report highlights the “PG&E scam,” where emails falsely claim recipients owe money to avoid power shutoff. These emails target both residential and business customers.
Residents have also reported scam calls from the IRS and Social Security Administration, which demand money for alleged debts. These agencies conduct business via written mail, so such calls should be ignored. “We try to periodically remind the community of these scams so that they do not become victims,” Rogers said.
The District Attorney’s Office advises anyone who suspects a scam to contact the appropriate authorities immediately.
