Phone Scam Targets Sex Offenders in California
If you were convicted of a sex crime, you will likely have to deal with the harsh consequence of registering as a sex offender. Now, you may also have to deal with scammers targeting you.
According to reports, registered sex offenders in California, including in the cities of Upland and Lawndale, are receiving phone calls where they are demanded to pay up to $3,000 or face the possibility of imprisonment.
The scammers pose as law enforcement officers and tell registrants that they have failed to register or have improperly registered. In two instances, scammers claimed the registrants were required to register on a quarterly basis – California only requires you to re-register every year.
The goal of the phone scam is to get credit card or payment information and use it to purchase gift cards online.
Similar scam attempts are happening around the country. In Virginia, police are seeing an increase in scams where sex offenders are being told a warrant is out for their arrest. They are then told not to call police and that the only way to stop from being arrested is to pay a fine. Instructions are then provided by the scammer, which include payment submitted through a gift card to a specified account provided by the scammer.
How Do Scammers Get My Information?
If you are a registered sex offender, your name and personal information will likely be posted on the Megan’s Law website, where it can be viewed by anyone. Scammers can take your information from this site and use it to your advantage.
You may be eligible to have your information removed from the Megan’s Law site. Contact Wallin & Klarich today so we can help you find out if you may request your name be removed from Megan’s Law.
What to Do if I’m the Target of a Sex Offender Phone Scam
If you are contacted via telephone and asked to pay a fine due to failure to register, you should respectfully decline. You can ask if there is a way to pay the fine in person. Do not provide your payment information over the phone. Law enforcement will not ask you do this.
Also, it is a good idea to always make sure your registration is up to date. Remember to re-register every year at your local law enforcement agency.
Contact the Sex Crimes Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today
Our skilled and knowledgeable sex crimes defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich may be able to help you have your name removed from Megan’s Law or stop sex offender registration altogether. Our law firm has helped numerous people obtain relief from sex offender registration. Let us help you now.
With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, Los Angeles and San Diego, you can find an experienced Wallin & Klarich sex crimes attorney available near you no matter where you are located.
Call our law office today at (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
