Pinellas County Phone Scammers Try New Tactic To Bilk Residents

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office say phone scammers targeting
Pinellas County residents over the past month have now changed their tactics in an attempt to bilk people out of money.

According to detectives, the scammers are now calling residents and leaving messages identifying themselves
as Deputy Harris with the Sheriff’s Office.

The scammers tell the resident that they are facing a fine for failing to appear in court for jury duty and leaves
a number for the residents to call.

When the residents return the calls, the person answering responds, “Sheriff’s Office.” The scammer then
confirms that the residents missed jury duty and tells them there is an outstanding warrant for their arrest. The scammer says they can either turn themselves in at the county jail or post bond by going to a nearby convenience store and purchasing a pre-paid debit card.

Once they obtain the pre-paid debit card, residents are told to meet a deputy at the Pinellas County Justice Center at 14250 49th St. N., Clearwater, to pay the fine or they will be arrested.

It’s unclear if the scammer intends to pose as a uniformed deputy and approach residents to accept their pre-paid debit cards when they arrive at the justice center.

Regardless, the sheriff’s office is reminding residents that a representative of the office will never call a resident and ask for money over the phone. In addition, residents should never give personal or account information to a caller or agree to meet someone they don't know.

The sheriff’s office has received a number of complaints from residents since Feb. 26 who say people have called posing as representatives of the sheriff’s office or Duke Energy.

Each time, the resident is instructed to purchase a pre-paid debit card, credit card or gift card to satisfy a bill or fine they owe.

If anyone has been a victim of these scams, they should contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at (727) 582-6200.

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