Full Notification

The Torrance Police Department continues to receive reports of telephone scams.  Suspects will identify themselves as IRS agents, Southern California Edison workers, Law Enforcement personnel, or other governmental agencies, in an attempt to get the victim's attention.  The suspects will then proceed with the scam and tell the victim they owe money for unpaid taxes, electrical bills, warrants or bail for a family member.  If the suspects are successful, they will instruct the victim to put money on a Green Dot card or any Pre-Paid Visa/MasterCard that can be found at any supermarket or drug store.  Once the victim gives the suspects the numbers on the back of the card, the scam is complete and the victim will be out the money that was loaded. 

If you receive a call of this nature, ask the caller for their name and agency, then hang up.  Do not call them back at the number they provide, but rather, obtain the agency's official number via the internet or by calling information.  When you call this legitimate number, you will likely discover that the call was a scam.  If you continue to receive telephone scams, tell the caller to stop calling and that you will be filing a report with your police department.  

At no time will ANY of the above agencies ask for unpaid bills/balances to be paid by a Pre-Paid card. 

If you have any questions or believe you have been a victim of a scam or fraud, please call the Torrance Police Department, Economic Crimes Section, at 310-618-6363.