Santa Barbara police warn residents about fake letter purported to be from National Guard

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The Santa Barbara Police Department is warning residents about a fake letter circulating within the local community.

On Friday, police said a letter that purports to be from the National Guard that says "homeland security is preparing to mobilize the guards" is fake and that the National Guard will not be mobilizing.

The Santa Barbara Police Department has reached out to the California National Guard and the California Office of Emergency Services who both confirmed that the letter is fake.

Police say they will continue their efforts on rumor control during this heightened time.