Costly Online Scams Prompt Warning In Bay Area

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — An upward trend in online scams, particularly those targeting elderly residents, prompted a warning Friday from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The warning followed the latest incident Thursday, where deputies were called to a home on Balboa Avenue in El Grenada. The victim said they received a notification indicating their computer had been hacked, directing them to call a phone number. The person on the other end of the phone convinced the victim to purchase gift cards and sent "couriers" to the home several times to collect them.

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Earlier in the week, deputies fielded a separate report in El Grenada where a scammer used a similar ploy and attempted to convince the victim to withdraw a large amount of money from their bank account. The victim did not comply and reported the attempt to the sheriff's office.

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Investigators shared a few reminders to avoid falling victim to online scams, including never allowing strangers to remotely access computers. The sheriff's office urges anyone who is asked to withdraw money or purchase gift cards to hang up the phone and call law enforcement.