CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – Local authorities are sounding the alarm as a sophisticated phone scam continues to target residents across Citrus County. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Fraud Unit issued a public warning after several reports surfaced of scammers impersonating law enforcement to intimidate and steal from the community.
The scammers are currently using the phone number 352-830-1237.
According to investigators, the callers claim to be deputies, detectives, or members of “The Citrus County Sheriff’s Department.”
Officials noted that this name choice is an immediate “red flag,” as the official agency name is the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. Those who call the number back are greeted by an automated recording that officials say is riddled with grammatical errors and incorrect terminology.
In a disturbing twist, victims have reported that the scammers already knew their names and home addresses. The Fraud Unit reminds the public that much of this data—including phone numbers, family members, and voting records—is easily accessible through simple web searches and is frequently used to make phishing scams feel more convincing.
“A scammer will attempt to keep you on the phone, urging you not to contact law enforcement, and may threaten you,” the Fraud Unit stated. The agency’s advice is simple: hang up immediately and block the number.
The CCSO emphasizes that law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone for any reason.
“As a general reminder, you cannot pay a warrant over the phone, even for not showing up for jury duty, under any circumstances in any jurisdiction,” the office confirmed. “Never agree to pay any fines or fees to CCSO or law enforcement in general over the phone.”
If a resident is unsure whether a call is genuine, they are encouraged to ask for the officer’s name and ID number, then hang up and call the CCSO non-emergency line at 352-249-2790 to verify the information.
Residents can also request that a deputy respond to their location in person. For the best protection, the Fraud Unit suggests screening all unknown calls by sending them to voicemail and researching potential scams online before responding.
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