Caller scams $10K from resident

The Sheriff’s Office is again alerting residents and store clerks of the gift card scams that have inundated the county, including the Keys, after a Big Pine Key man recently lost $10,000 to a phone scammer.

The victim contacted the Sheriff’s Office on Monday. He stated that someone claiming to be with Amazon Fraud Department called him on Friday and stated he needed to get his account fixed. The caller identified himself as “Sam Peterson.” “Peterson” instructed the victim to go various to two businesses on Big Pine Key and purchase $10,000 in gift cards. The victim bought 20 such cards each valued at $500. The victim provided the gift card and pin numbers of each card to “Peterson.”

The victim stated he realized it was a scam when “Peterson” called him on Saturday wanting more gift cards.

Never make any sort of purchase or monetary transaction with/using gift cards online or via the phone. Gift cards are a giveaway you are being scammed.

Residents should never give personal, monetary or gift card information to anyone over the phone, in a text or an email— TO ANYONE REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE — without first checking with that person, utility or government agency!

Anyone with information about any crimes should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 305-292-7000. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-471-8477. If a tip leads to an arrest in the case, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips may also be submitted online at www.floridakeyscrimestoppers.com or via a text message using the smartphone app called P3 Phone. Tips can also be submitted via social media such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the @CrimeStoppers305 hashtag.

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