OAKLAND — The Oakland Police Department is alerting residents to a widespread email scam circulating in the area.
Police say they have received multiple reports of suspicious emails containing attachments that may carry viruses or malware.
The department is urging citizens to delete these messages immediately without opening any attachments or responding.
“These are a hoax and the attachment may have a virus,” the police department said in a statement Tuesday. “If you get something like this, delete it and do not reply.”
Authorities advise never opening attachments from unknown senders.
They also warn against calling any phone numbers provided in the fraudulent emails, as these are typically part of financial scams that are difficult to trace.
The Oakland Police Department emphasizes that even if an attachment does not contain a virus, responding to the email or calling listed numbers could put residents at risk of fraud.
Officials recommend residents stay vigilant and report any suspicious emails to local law enforcement.
