The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a sophisticated phone scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to demand immediate payments. Scammers are threatening arrest for alleged missed federal jury duty, using tactics designed to create panic and urgency among victims.

These criminals often claim to be Sheriff's Office employees, even using real staff names to appear legitimate. The fraudsters demand payment through untraceable methods like gift cards, exploiting the fear of legal consequences to pressure victims into compliance. The Sheriff's Office emphasizes this is a complete fabrication.

Officials stress that legitimate law enforcement never demands money over the phone or requests gift cards to clear warrants. Residents who receive such calls should hang up immediately and report the incident to authorities. This scam represents a growing trend of impersonation fraud targeting vulnerable populations through sophisticated social engineering techniques.