Scammer Poses As Law Enforcement Officer, Sheriff's Office Says

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A Santa Cruz County business was targeted by a scammer posing as a local law enforcement lieutenant, the sheriff's office said.

The scammer used technology to display a fake caller ID, then called the business and told an employee that counterfeit money was deposited in their bank account, thus rendering them unable to get paid until the bank could verify that all of their bills were real, the sheriff's office said.

The scammer told the employee to collect all of their money so it could be collected and inspected by the law enforcement officer.

The employee told their employer about the call and the incident was reported to officials, the sheriff's office said.

"Small businesses have already been through enough the past two years, the sheriff's office said, "please spread the word so they are not impacted further!"