Scam reminder: Scammers impersonating law enforcement

The Sheriff’s Office is again seeing an uptick in reported phone scams. Residents need to be aware and vigilant in refusing to give personal, monetary or gift card information over the phone — TO ANYONE REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE!

Scammers often claim to be law enforcement — they often impersonate Sheriff Rick Ramsay — and falsely claim they need information from residents to squash an arrest warrant or quell some criminal matter, both of which are lies. They often use Sheriff’s Office phone numbers in their deceit.

A few recent cases:

  • A woman recently received a phone call purportedly from the Sheriff’s Office Cudjoe Key substation (It didn’t. The thieves masked their real number). The caller identified himself as Sheriff Rick Ramsay and told the victim she need to give him her Social Security number regarding some alleged crimes she committed. The caller claimed all her bank accounts would be closed. The woman refused and reported the call.
  • A man recently received a call from someone falsely claiming to be with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The caller claimed the victim’s Social Security card number was being used by drug smugglers. The caller instructed the victim to buy some Home Depot® gift cards so he could resolve the matter. The victim purchased some cards and gave the caller the gift card numbers. A few days later, Home Depot® contacted the victim and told the victim that $8,000 was spent using the gift card numbers he purchased. The number used by the fake DEA agent was disconnected after the scam took place.

Often, the scammers urge victims to buy gift cards. The thieves typically create fake email accounts in a law enforcement officer’s name on any litany of email service providers. The thief may ask for any myriad amount of money in gift cards. The thief may ask the victim to take pictures of the gift cards and email the thief the pictures. The request for gift cards is an easy to tell YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED!

Law Enforcement would never ask for gift cards or communicate in such ways!To all residents of Monroe County: If you receive such a phone call/text/email from someone purporting to be law enforcement — DELETE AND IGNORE! Please help us spread the word! BE WEARY! BE ALERT!

NEVER BUY GIFT CARDS FOR SOMEONE OVER THE PHONE! ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK WITH ACTUAL BUSINESSES, POLICE, UTILTIES, INSURERS — ANYONE — WHEN SENDING MONEY, PARICULARLY WHEN YOU ARE REACHED BY 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. 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.

 

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]