LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon County deputies say residents are still being victimized by an arrest warrant phone scam circulating the area.
The Leon County Sheriff's office is again issuing a warning after continuing to receive reports of residents being scammed by callers impersonating deputies.
"People will call, and they'll tell you you have a warrant for your arrest. They introduce themselves as a deputy sheriff, and they're actually using names of our employees to try and make the rouge just a little more real," said LCSO Deputy Dave Teems. "They then ask for people to go and get either bitcoin or gift cards to take care of the bond for the warrant. It's something we never do."
Deputies issued a warning about the scam nearly a month ago and multiple times last year, but they are continuing to receive reports of victims.
This is how the scam works:
Someone calls you and states that they are with the Leon County Sheriff's office. Deputies say the caller normally gives you a valid employee name and verify your address and date of birth.
The caller then informs you that you have a warrant issued for your arrest and tells you that you have to pay a specific amount in order for the warrant to be dismissed. They usually ask that you pay by purchasing a gift card i.e. green dot, Visa, Apple, etc.
"Leon County residents, PLEASE, if someone calls and states they are with the Sheriff's Office, or other law enforcement entity, and states you have a warrant and need to pay a fee by purchasing a gift card, green dot card, or any other form of payment, hang up and notify us," deputies wrote in the warning.
They stress that it is a scam and you should call them at (850) 606-3300 right away. Deputies are reminding residents that they will never call you and ask you to pay fees to avoid a warrant for your arrest.
LCSO warns of scam where suspects claim to be sergeants
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Leon County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about scam calls where the callers impersonate a sergeant and ask victims to pay for different things online.
LCSO says the scammers are claiming to put out an arrest warrant if they don't get the payments.
LCSO wants to remind everyone that a law enforcement officer will never ask anyone to pay anything online.
If you have questions about warrants, call LCSO directly at (850) 606-3300.
