Lompoc City officials warn against newest phone scam
City officials are warning residents about the newest phone scam in Lompoc. Some people report getting supposed calls from City Hall about their utility bill, asking for payment.
“Don’t pay people over the phone that you don’t know,” said sergeant Scott Morgan of Lompoc Police.
One Facebook user shared their experience on an online forum, saying the caller spoofed the city’s number.
“He speaks Spanish and wants all you info,” the post reads.
Others on social media say they’ve been getting similar calls.
“We have received a surge recently in scam call reports at City Hall,” said Lompoc spokeswoman, Samantha Scroggin. “The only time we call customers is if there’s an issue with a payment that was submitted that we wanna verify some information [about], we may call you. But we will never call and demand payment over the phone.”
Scammers will usually target certain groups at a time.
“Either the Spanish-speaking community, or business owners,” said Scroggin. “Never arrange to meet anybody outside to accept payment.”
“The elderly have a tendency to sometimes be targeted,” said Sgt. Morgan. “The odds of you ever getting your money back are pretty slim.”
Scroggin says the only ways to pay a utility bill in Lompoc are either in person at City Hall, at the utility box drop off, online, or by calling the city directly.
KEYT 2019
