PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has issued an urgent alert to the public regarding a phone scam specifically targeting the family members of individuals incarcerated in the Pinellas County Jail.
According to detectives, a scammer has been contacting citizens and falsely identifying himself as “Sergeant Matthews” or “Sergeant Rudolph” of the Sheriff’s Office. The caller claims that a family member in jail can be released if a payment is made through the mobile payment service Cash App or by depositing funds into a cryptocurrency ATM.
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In a deceptive move to lend legitimacy to the fraudulent calls, the suspect initially directs victims to official locations, such as the Sheriff’s Office Administration Building on Ulmerton Road or the Criminal Justice Center on 49th Avenue North. However, as the victim is en route, the caller abruptly changes the plan and redirects them to a different location to complete the transaction.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has made it unequivocally clear that they will NEVER contact citizens to request money over the telephone. Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Office will never ask for banking information to facilitate a wire transfer.
Authorities are advising the public to be extremely cautious and to never provide personal or financial account information over the phone to unsolicited callers.
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“We advise citizens not to give personal information or account information over the phone and call the Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious activity,” the official news release stated.
This scam is a distressing attempt to exploit the emotions and concerns of families with loved ones in the justice system. The Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating these incidents and encourages anyone who has received a similar call to report it immediately.
If you have any information regarding this scam or believe you have been a victim, please contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200.
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