If you get a text message or an email that appears to streamline the process of renewing your concealed weapons permit by the end of the year, don’t think that the process is that easy.

According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, a scam is currently circulating throughout the county that revolves around a text message that claims to simplify the process and allow for renewals to CCW permits in around 15 minutes simply by clicking on the link in the text message or email and downloading the necessary forms.

While it seems like it would be simple enough, the problem is that the vendor that the sheriff’s office uses to issue permits will never contact those that have legally qualified to carry a concealed weapon via those methods – raising the question about who is sending the links, and what they’re doing with the information that is being gathered.

While there have been a number of scams that have appeared to come from law enforcement to establish credibility, this is the first time, according to the sheriff’s office, that the process for applying for concealed weapons permit renewals has been involved to try and gain information from otherwise law-abiding citizens.

While the text message that circulated on social media initially listed Christmas Eve as the last day to qualify, it’s possible that retooled messages will start making the rounds before the end of the year – something that the sheriff’s office, which issues the majority of permits in San Joaquin County, wants the public to be aware of so that they don’t become victims of the scam.

And even more scams could be just around the corner.

With the recent approval of a congressional COVID-19 relief package that will include payments to every qualifying American resident there is a high likelihood that the stimulus scams that emerged in April will once again come back – and will likely utilize the same mechanisms as the CCW scam now circulating in the county.

The IRS, which is responsible for distributing the relief funds, will never contact residents about their stimulus funding via text message, email, or social media message, and anything that appears in that formal is almost assuredly a scam.

If you or somebody you know received a text message or an email asking for information to renew a concealed weapon permit in San Joaquin County visit www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds and provide as much information as possible to help authorities track down the perpetrators of the scam and prevent others from being victimized.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.