Dear Residents,
I am writing to inform you of a concerning increase in reports of financial scams affecting members of our community which have involved large financial losses. These scams are often sophisticated, and their victims include individuals of all ages. While methods vary, many involve impersonation of government agencies, fraudulent investment opportunities, fake tech support calls, or urgent requests for money to help a loved one in distress.
As your Chief of Police, I want to emphasize that our department is actively investigating these incidents and working with regional and federal partners to identify and hold perpetrators accountable. In the meantime, we ask for your vigilance and partnership in preventing further victimization.
Here are several important reminders to help protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Never provide personal or financial information over the phone, email, or text unless you are certain of the recipient’s identity.
- Legitimate organizations will never request payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
- Be especially cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, police departments, tech support, or your bank/financial institution.
- Hang up and verify any suspicious communication by calling the organization directly using a trusted phone number.
If you suspect you have been targeted or have already become a victim of a scam, please report it immediately to the Police Department by calling 650-688-6500 or visiting our station. Even if you are unsure, we are here to help.
We encourage residents to talk with family members—especially seniors—about these threats. Awareness is our best defense.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and commitment to keeping our community safe. Together, we can stop these scams before they succeed.
Sincerely,
Steven D McCulley
Chief of Police