Gift card scam regarding vehicle sale reported

The Sheriff’s Office continues to warn residents about any sort of purchase or monetary transaction regarding gift cards online or via phone. If someone asks you to pay in gift cards, you are being scammed!

Deputies received a report on Monday from a Cudjoe Key couple who saw a Jeep advertised on eBay for $1,400. The seller was contacted online and the seller advised they needed to purchase 12, $200 eBay gift cards for a total of $2,400. The seller stated the extra $1,000 was for shipping the Jeep from Maine to the Florida Keys. The cards were purchased and all the card information was given to the “seller.” They tried to contact the “seller,” but the phone number provided was bogus.

To all residents: If you receive a phone call/text/email from ANYONE asking for payment over the phone or online via gift cards, hang up immediately and call that person to verify the claim. Odds are you are being scammed.

Be particularly weary if the caller asks for gift card information. This is a sure sign you are being scammed.

Residents should never give personal, monetary or gift card information over the phone — TO ANYONE REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE!

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. Tipsters can remain anonymous and 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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