Oxnard police warn of tutoring scam

Oxnard police on Wednesday were warning residents of a tutoring scam targeting families with school-aged children.

The scam involves a man going door to door and advertising himself as an in-home tutor, police said. In both incidents reported in the city, the man presented a business card from a legitimate tutoring agency and told the victim that it was part of a "government assistance program," authorities said. Police said this scam may also be occurring in Cerritos, a suburban city in Los Angeles County.

In each incident the man was invited inside and provided forms to "start the registration process" and was also able to get the tax returns and social security numbers of everyone in the residence, police said. The man also charged a subscriber fee before setting up a time to return to tutor, officials said. However, once the appointment arrived the man never showed up, authorities said.

Police said citizens should be careful who they give out personal identifying information to and that government agencies do not solicit door to door. Authorities said residents should never feel pressured to sign a contract or agreement and to verify someone's employment if it seems suspicious.

Not all people who go door to door soliciting are trying to commit crimes but citizens should be cautious, especially since this can be a method used by some suspects "casing" a house for a later burglary, police said.

Anyone with information about this scam can call Oxnard police at 385-7600.