Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A longtime elderly Camarillo homeowner almost became the victim of an electricity scam. On 03/21/2013, an elderly Camarillo homeowner came into the lobby of the Police Department, asking for help with what he believed was an electricity scam. The homeowner told police that he started receiving multiple calls on his home phone and cell phone around 9:00 AM this morning, from a man named Marcos Garcia. Mr. Garcia called from this number (315) 307- 1254 and told the homeowner that someone had illegally tapped into his electricity causing an extra $130.00 in charges. The homeowner was instructed to pay for the extra electricity by having a money order made out to Green-dot money Pac. The homeowner was then asked to take the money order back to his house, call the above listed number, and a serviceman would come by to fix the illegal tap and collect the money order. The homeowner went to the CVS, at Carmen Plaza to have the money order filled out even though he recently paid his electric bill to Edison, just like he has for the past 40 years.

A clerk at the CVS told the homeowner that another person came in the store a week or so ago having a money order made out for the same thing in the amount of $300.00 and the clerk later found out that person was the victim of a scam. The clerk suggested to the homeowner that he go to the Police Department to report the scam. While the homeowner was at the Police Department, Sheriff’s Deputies confirmed that this was indeed a scam.

The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind all residents that if something does not seem right, or they believe they are victims of a scam, or might be the victim of a scam, to immediately call Sheriff’s dispatch at 805-654-9511 to report the incident.

Nature of Incident: Electricity Scam
Report Number:
Location: 100 Block of Barcelona Drive, Camarillo, California
Date & Time: 03/21/2013 / 11:30 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Community Resource Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Prepared by: Sergeant John M. Franchi
Media Release Date: 03/21/2013
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant John M. Franchi @ 805-388-5135
Approved by: Captain Bruce Macedo

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).