Some Pinellas County residents have been receiving phone calls \u201cfrom\u201d Pinellas County Sheriff\u2019s Office Assistant Chief Deputy Paul Carey, regarding arrest warrants and citation payments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These are scams, according to Geoff Moore, the office\u2019s media relations and crime prevention unit deputy. Similar situations have occurred before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScammers can find either a real deputy or make up a name. They will then call any number until someone answers,\u201d he said. \u201cThe first reaction for the average victim is fear.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The criminals will explain to the individual that the issue can be resolved monetarily instead of an arrest. They will then send over Cash App, Zelle or Venmo information for the victim to pay their supposed \u201cfine.\u201d Some may even ask the person to purchase a gift card.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Usually, the scammers will give a set amount such as $1,000, Moore explained. However, they will typically add a processing fee as well \u2013 making the individual pay even more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no real way to stop it from happening outside of educating yourself on the scam and being aware,\u201d he said. \u201cThe most important thing we want people to know is that the Pinellas County Sheriff\u2019s Office is never going to call someone and ask them for money.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s essential for victims to \u201ctake control\u201d of the situation \u2013 even though that may be difficult to do. Moore advises individuals to \u201ctake a deep breath and hang the phone up.\u201d They are then encouraged to contact the Sheriff\u2019s Office to confirm the legitimacy of the call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the most challenging parts of the scam, he added, is when people search officer names online to see if the supposed caller is a real person. If a victim discovers that a scammer is portraying an actual deputy, this causes even more fear. It can make people think that they are speaking to the officer when they are really not.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moore emphasized that quick online searches are not enough. If the caller is asking for financial payments, it is certainly a scam: Deputies will not call regarding warrants, citations or missed jury duty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Criminals will even leave a callback number if the person misses the initial communication attempt. They can \u201cspoof\u201d police office or company numbers as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Citizens often get scammed from entities pretending to be companies such as Duke Energy and Spectrum, he added. These organizations do not ask for payments on platforms like Venmo or through gift cards. Individuals should call to confirm any missed bills.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Pinellas County Sheriff\u2019s Office posted a message about the recent scams on Facebook, following \u201cincreased reports.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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