POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County detectives are warning residents of a scam in which the scammers pose as representatives of the Sheriff's Office and even leave a callback number.
- Scammers claiming to be members of Polk Sheriff's Office
- Scammer reports people have warrant out for arrest
- Tries to get money from people using money card
The scam artists tell the person on the phone that a warrant is out for their arrest, usually because of missing jury duty, and that they need to obtain a "green dot" money card to resolve it, Sheriff's officials said. The scammer will also offer to walk the person through the process.
The scammer will even leave a callback number, claiming it's the number to the Sheriff's Office. Calling the number gives you a recording with instructions.
"This is a new twist on an old scam — this time the scam artists are actually leaving call-back numbers, with recordings claiming to be from official Sheriff's Offices. Please alert your family members, especially elderly ones who are more prone to being taken advantage of, that we do not call residents asking for money," Sheriff Grady Judd said.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office wants to remind residents that its main number is 863-298-6200, and that law enforcement agencies never solicit money to rectify warrants.