Keys getting more phone scams

The Sheriff’s Office is receiving additional reports of people receiving phone scams from criminals claiming to be in law enforcement and urging people to pay with gift cards over some fake warrant or missing some fake court date.

The criminals use real law enforcement phone numbers and often will use real local law enforcement officers’ names during the scams. Some residents have previously reported getting calls from someone posing as Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

First off: If you receive a call from a law enforcement agency/utility company/government agency or popular business such as Amazon, hang up and contact the agency for verification.

Second: NEVER PAY FOR ANYTHING OVER THE PHONE WITH GIFT CARDS! This is sure sign you are getting scammed.

All residents should be weary of any unknown third party caller requesting money over the phone. Always hang up and contact that loved one/company/organization first. Never send money over the phone.

Scammers have been cloning legitimate law enforcement officers, business and other government office phone numbers in an effort to appear legitimate.

In sum: 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, business or government agency! Never make any sort of purchase or monetary transaction with/using gift cards online or via the phone.

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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