Scammers solicit gift card purchases posing as district attorney
In an attempt to defraud people into buying gift cards or divulging phone numbers and other personal information, scammers are sending texts or emails pretending to be Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch. (Photo from the Santa Barbara County district attorney’s office)
The Santa Barbara County district attorney’s office in California has alerted the public to scammers posing as the district attorney through emails and text messages.
In an attempt to defraud people into buying gift cards or divulging phone numbers and other personal information, scammers are sending texts or emails pretending to be Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch.
According to coverage by KEYT, Jennifer Karapetian, the assistant district attorney, received a series of text messages from a sender impersonating Savrnoch.
A public service announcement was issued on Friday to warn people, according to the Independent. An investigation into the scammer’s phone number found it to have been spoofed.
“I want the community to know that the district attorney’s office will not contact individuals to request money, gift cards or personal information,” explained Kristina Perkins, the chief investigator for the district attorney’s office.
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