June 7, 2026 – Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office officials report that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing than ever. Criminals can now use AI-generated voices to impersonate family members, friends, or trusted individuals, often creating a false sense of urgency in an attempt to convince victims to send money or share sensitive personal information.

If you receive a call that seems suspicious, trust your instincts. Hang up and contact the person directly using a phone number you know is legitimate. Never provide personal information, financial account details, passwords, or payment to someone whose identity you cannot verify. Be especially cautious of anyone demanding immediate action or requesting money during an alleged emergency. Scammers rely on panic and urgency to prevent victims from taking the time to verify the situation.

Unfortunately, as these crimes continue to increase, Sacramento County budget cuts place Identity Theft detective positions at risk of being defunded.

Sacramento County Budget Hearings are on June 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 700 H Street.

Source: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office