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Authorities On Central, South Coasts Warn Of Multiple Phone Scams

Authorities are issuing warnings about multiple phone scams taking place on the Central and South Coasts.

Simi Valley Police say a company is calling people trying to get them to buy home alarm systems. Detectives say what makes it confusing for homeowners is that the scammers have mimicked one of the department’s phone numbers, so it shows up as Simi Valley Police on caller ID.

Department officials say the agency would never solicit people to buy alarm systems.

Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reports some different phone scams in the region. Investigators say in one case, people are calling claiming to be IRS agents, and that they are seeking unpaid taxes.

In the other scam, someone claiming to be from Homeland Security calls, and asks for personal information like your Social Security number supposedly to verify you are in the country legally.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.