The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has warned of an online scam impersonating government agencies to defraud the county’s residents.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the scam’s victims received either a text message or e-mail warning them of some potentially fraudulent charges on their account. When they clicked the link, they were contacted by someone claiming to work for their banking institution.
Once the victims hear their account has been “compromised,” they are also told the supposed bank security officer is working with the FBI or other government agency to catch the hacker. Victims are assured that the only way to keep their account safe is to withdraw money and turn it over to the scammer via cryptocurrency, cash, or other transaction methods. They are also promised it will be held until the account is secure, but the money is already lost.
The District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday also warned of cryptocurrency scams such as supposed bitcoin investments that promise huge returns for a small fee. Many of these schemes reportedly start with a wrong number text that leads to a conversation about cryptocurrency investments. Authorities said that some scams will allow an initial “test” withdrawal to show victims that the money is safe, but once the full amount is deposited, the money is lost.
Citing data from the Federal Trade Commission, the District Attorney’s Office said business and government impersonation scams are the third most common cryptocurrency scam. In 2022, such scams cost many victims in the U.S. approximately $2.3 billion.
Monterey County residents who have been the victim of a scam or have relevant information regarding potential fraud, should file a complaint with their local law enforcement agency or alert the District Attorney’s Office to scams by completing the consumer complaint form located on its website and emailing the complaint to consumercomplaints@co.monterey.ca.us, mailing it to the District Attorney’s Office at 1200 Aguajito Road, Suite 301 in Monterey, or by calling the office at (831) 647-7770.