July 7, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff’s Office officials report that they have received multiple reports of scam phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to be members of our staff. In these calls, the scammer claims that a loved one has been arrested and states that a payment of $900 is required for an ankle monitor.
Please be advised that these calls are fraudulent. The Merced County Sheriff’s Office will never call and demand payment over the phone. Scammers often spoof phone numbers to make the call appear legitimate and use pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency.
Scam calls like these are becoming increasingly common, and we encourage the public to remain cautious when answering calls from unknown numbers. If you receive a suspicious call of this nature, hang up immediately and report it to your local agency.
Source: Merced County Sheriff’s Office
Related: Merced County Sheriff Reports Multiple Scam Calls Occurring Demanding Bond Payment Over the Phone
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