For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

There has been an increase in robotic phone scams reported to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. These scams are also referred to as Robocall scams. These scams attempt to fool people into calling a phone number provided so that miscreants can be provided with information that will allow them access to monetary funds of the victims. The most current Robocall scam revolves around the call receiver’s Social Security number being suspended due to suspicious activity. These types of calls are the most current scam. How to know if you are the recipient of a possible scam:

• You get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to work for SSA. Except in rare circumstances, you will not get a call from Social Security unless you have already been in contact with the agency.
• The caller asks for your Social Security number —again, something an actual SSA employee wouldn’t do.
• A call or email threatens consequences, such as arrest, loss of benefits or suspension of your Social Security number, if you do not provide a payment or personal information.

If you find yourself receiving a phone call that you believe is a scam call here is a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts”:

DO’s:

Do hang up if someone calls you out of the blue and claims to be from SSA.

Do be skeptical if a caller claims to be an “officer with the Inspector General of Social Security.” Scammers appropriate official-sounding and often actual government titles to make a ruse seem authentic.

Do set up a My Social Security account online and check it on a monthly basis for signs of anything unusual, even if you have not yet started collecting benefits.

Do install a robocall-blocking app on your smartphone, or sign up for a robocall-blocking service from your mobile network provider.

Dont’s:

Don’t call a phone number left on your voice mail by a robocaller. If you want to contact SSA, call the customer-service line at 800-772-1213.

Don’t assume a call is legitimate because it appears to come from 800-772-1213. Scammers use “spoofing” technology to trick caller ID.

Don’t give your Social Security number or other personal information to someone who contacts you by email. SSA never requests information that way.

Don’t click links in purported SSA emails without checking them. Mouse over the link to reveal the actual destination address. The main part of the address should end with “.gov/” — including the forward slash. If there’s anything between .gov and the slash, it’s fake.

For more information see the below links regarding these types of scam activity.

Social Security Administration: https://blog.ssa.gov/beware-of-scammers-pretending-to-be-social-security/

Federal Trade Commission: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/12/what-social-security-scam-sounds

AARP: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/social-security.html

For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

Over the last few months, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office detectives have been part of an ongoing multi-agency investigation into a string of commercial burglaries and robberies spanning nine jurisdictions in four counties.

In each case of this series, two or three people (typically men) dressed in hoodies, long pants, and gloves, targeted gas stations between the hours of midnight and 5 AM with the intention of stealing large volumes of cigarette cartons. The crimes in El Dorado County included 4 burglaries, 1 robbery, and 1 attempted burglary.

A task force was formed, including representatives from EDSO, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento Police Department, Rocklin Police Department, Galt Police Department, and Auburn Police Department (CA).

On May 26th, two men completed a burglary of the Wine Country station in Camino, making off with over $6,000 in stolen cigarettes. EDSO responded and was able to access the video surveillance, identifying the vehicle involved.

The following morning, an attempted burglary occurred at Snowline Station in Camino. A quick thinking owner was able to view the surveillance and relayed information regarding the vehicle to EDSO. The vehicle was the same as used previously and EDSO Patrol units set up surveillance along Highway 50. Shortly after, we saw the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

In the vehicle were two men, Miguel Chamizo, Kevin Gilkey, and a 16 year old. The three were taken back for interviews with detectives and later arrested on numerous charges.

This information was relayed to the task force, which assisted in identifying other people suspected of being involved. Placer County Sheriff’s Office was actively working a few leads and asked that we wait to release information, that way the suspects were not aware. As of today, PCSO has arrested more suspects related to these crimes.

We are fortunate to have a good working relationship with the agencies in our area. Crimes that span multiple jurisdictions and counties can be difficult to solve without such a relationship. Great work to all involved!

For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

Yesterday afternoon, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was called regarding a water accident at Eagle Falls, just above Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay. 35 year old Dina Espinosa, of the Bay Area, was sitting in one of the pools of water near the waterfall. Dina slipped while reaching for a branch and was swept away in the very fast moving waters over the waterfall.

Resources were immediately deployed to the area, including Search and Rescue “Swift water” and “Tech Rope”, along with EDSO Dive Team. Unfortunately, when Dina was located she was found deceased.

The accident is being investigated by State Parks and EDSO is handling the coroner’s investigation. Next of kin notifications have been made.