Scam Alert: Courier Scams

The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office is issuing an urgent warning to residents regarding a brazen scam currently targeting our community. We are seeing a rise in "Courier Scams" that exploit the kindness of citizens who are just trying to do the right thing and help law enforcement catch thieves.

How the Scam Works

In this scheme, scammers pose as "Fraud Specialists" from agencies like the FDIC or the FBI. They contact victims claiming that local bank employees are involved in criminal activity. To "help the investigation," the victim is told they must withdraw a large sum of cash so that investigators can "retrieve fingerprints" from the bills.

The suspects then instruct the victim to package the money in a box and hand it over to a "courier" who will supposedly take it to a crime lab for processing.

Don't Be Fooled

This is a brazen attempt to steal your life savings by pretending you are assisting in a sting operation. In reality:

• Law enforcement will never ask you to withdraw your own cash to use as "evidence."
• Government agencies do not send private couriers to your home or a parking lot to collect money.
• Fingerprint processing is never done by having a citizen hand over boxes of cash in public.

These predators often keep victims on the phone for hours to prevent them from calling family or their bank for advice. They rely on your civic duty and your desire to help catch criminals to carry out their theft.

Protect Yourself

If you receive a call or text asking you to withdraw money to "help an investigation," hang up immediately. It is a scam. Always verify fraud claims by walking into your local bank branch or calling a trusted, official phone number.

If you have been targeted by this scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency to file a report.