Telephone Scam Reportedly Attempted in County

Scammers may be trying to solicit personal information about Santa Barbara residents. The Independent has received reports from citizens claiming to have received a call in which an automated message purports offer a means of renewing vehicle registration. The message does not identify the message as coming from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and, if the person receiving the call remains on the line, he or she is connected with an operator who asks for a driver’s license number, a Social Security number and other means of identification. Upon asking Santa Barbara Police for guidelines regarding how one should deal with an suspicious call such as this, Sgt Lorenzo Duarte supplied the following: ask for a callback number, since most reputable businesses will not hesitate to give one; check your DMV registration card to find out when you registration actually expires; and, of course, if you ever are in doubt, don’t give our your personal information over the phone. If you do give out your information and feel wary about having done so, contact the police and give them as much information as you can about the transaction.