A local business was swindled out of $1,000 after falling victim to a phone scam March 21 that involved the caller posing as a representative from Pacific Gas & Electric. The caller falsely notified the victim that their electricity would be shut off if the amount was not paid immediately, according to authorities.
The victim was instructed to obtain $1,000 worth of Reloadit cards from Safeway grocery and provide the cards’ serial numbers to make the payment, which they did, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
“There would be no large public agency giving a call and demanding money on the spot,” explained Sgt. James Jensen of the sheriff’s office. “(If you receive a similar call), hang up, Google whatever the agency that calls and then call that agency directly. Don’t call the individual number they give you to call back.”
The sheriff’s office did not identify the victimized business, but it was logged as a business on the 1400 block of Main Avenue at Casa Lane in Morgan Hill.
Jensen said they were aware of the phone scam as well as similar ones in which suspects pretend to be the Internal Revenue Service and even the sheriff’s office.
“It is a scam going around,” said Jensen, noting the sheriff’s office does not keep records of how many such scams have been reported over a specific period of time. “(This case) is still an open, active investigation.”
Jensen reiterated that “no large public agency would ever ask you to go do something like (buying Reloadit cards from a grocery store).”
Anyone with information about this incident or who thinks they have been a victim can call the sheriff’s office at (408) 299-2311.
