December 17, 2018 - The Madera County Sheriff’s Office would like the public to be aware of an email scam circulating nationwide to government agencies, schools, and private businesses. These emails demand payment in Bitcoins, and issue various threats to persons and/or businesses if their demands are not met.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens to practice good internet and email safety. If you receive a poorly written or suspicious looking email, particularly from a sender you do not recognize, it could potentially be a scam. It is possible that opening such emails could cause harm to your computer. Never provide identifying information, such as your Social Security Number, or financial information, including your bank account number. When in doubt- DELETE.
If you receive an email that contains any of the characteristics above, or one that raises suspicion, we encourage you to contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. It is important for citizens to be alert and remain vigilant when protecting their personal information. If you have questions or would like to make a report, please contact the Madera County Sheriff's Office at (559) 675-7770.
Source: Madera County Sheriff’s Office
