Phone Scam Originating In LA Targeting People Nationwide

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A months-old phone scam that originated in Los Angeles is now targeting people across the country.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Ryan Rouzan says deputies fielded up to 100 calls Friday morning from people reporting scam calls in Florida, Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New York, Kansas, New Jersey, Illinois and Indiana.

The callers often spoof the Sheriff's Department number, telling victims they have a warrant in the system or missed jury service and must pay $150 to $25,000 to remedy the situation.

They're told to purchase a Green Dot pre-paid card at a store for payment. Rouzan says people can't recover the money once it's spent.

Rouzan says call recipients should inform local authorities, the LA County Sheriff's Department and monitor their accounts for identity theft.

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