MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — In just a matter of days, scammers in Martin County have stolen between $30,000 and $40,000, prompting an urgent warning from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office as deputies report a surge in schemes aimed primarily at elderly residents.
One of the fastest-growing scams involves callers pretending to be from a victim’s bank, claiming the person’s account has been compromised. The scammers instruct the victim to withdraw cash and hand it to a “courier” who arrives at their home under the guise of protecting the funds. Officials say banks never send couriers to pick up cash, and any request for such a handoff is fraudulent.
Deputies are also seeing an increase in fake bond payment calls. In these cases, scammers track recent arrests, locate family members online, and convince them that a loved one is in jail and needs immediate bond money. Law enforcement stressed that bond is never paid over the phone, making such demands a clear sign of a scam.
See also: Ryan Routh sentenced to life after being convicted of trying to assassinate Pres. Trump
The Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to share these warnings widely—especially with seniors who may be more vulnerable. Officials say awareness is the most effective way to stop scammers before they can exploit another victim.
Anyone who receives a call demanding money, scheduling a cash pickup, or requesting payment through gift cards or other unusual methods should hang up immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement.