Santa Cruz police warn of phone scam targeting parents of UCSC students

The Santa Cruz Police Department is warning people of a new phone scam targeting parents of UC Santa Cruz students.

Parents of UCSC students have reported receiving phone calls in which the caller tells them their child has active warrants and owes money for them.

The caller ID on the on the incoming call has been programmed to indicate the business line phone number for the Santa Cruz Police Department, which is 831-420-5800.

These calls are fraudulent and are not coming from the police department. Tje police department and the Sheriff’s Office do not make phone calls soliciting money for warrant bails.

Anyone who receives one of these calls should contact the dispatch center at 471-1131 to file a report or file an online report online.