PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Pinellas County residents are being targeted by a new wave of fraudulent phone calls featuring an impostor posing as a high-ranking official. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office issued a formal alert on Monday about scammers posing as Assistant Chief Deputy Paul Carey to fleece locals out of their money.
According to a news release, the scammers contact residents and claim that the individual has an outstanding arrest warrant or citation requiring immediate payment. In several reported cases, the suspects left voicemails requesting a return call, providing phone numbers that have no official connection to the Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities are emphasizing that these calls are entirely fraudulent and do not follow standard law enforcement procedures.
To help the public distinguish between a legitimate legal matter and a criminal shakedown, the agency released a clear directive on its financial policies.
“The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call, text, or email citizens requesting money over the telephone and will never ask for banking information to wire money,” the department stated.
The Sheriff’s Office is advising the public to remain vigilant and to never disclose personal or banking information to an unsolicited caller.
Anyone who has received one of these calls or has information about the scammers’ identity is urged to contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office directly at (727) 582-6200 to report the suspicious activity.
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