Thieves posing as sheriff's deputies in Madera County

Thieves are targeting people in the North Valley by posing as deputies and they are now even stealing an important phone number directly from the Madera Sheriff's Office.

There's a new alert out warning those who live in the North Valley about criminals pretending to be law enforcement.

People are worried about the crime which has already traveled through Pennsylvania, Ohio and has now made its way to Madera County.

"I think it's scary for the older people who will buy into that," said John Koretoff.

Early Friday morning a local woman got a message on her answering machine from a familiar number.

"The message was, "This is sheriff John Anderson from the Madera County Sheriff's Office and the ID caller number is 675-7770." That is our number," said Erica Stewart.

The person posing as the Sheriff accused her of fraud and forgery and directed her to call the Department of Justice.

Erica Stewart with the Madera County Sheriff's Office says thieves are using a tactic called, "Caller ID spoofing." The Federal Communications Commission says that's essentially when identity thieves steal your caller ID information to trick other people.

"Someone calls your home it's an invasion. It's unsettling and it's frightening," said Steart.

On Thursday another person was hit by someone posing as a sergeant. This time the fake deputy demanded $4,000 as punishment for a warrant. In both cases the victims called 911 and didn't fork over any cash.

Investigators are reminding everyone, there's a red flag to watch out for.

"Law enforcement does not call you at home and threaten you with arrest and tell you, you have to send us money. We don't do that. Nobody in law enforcement does it," said Stewart.