Deputies say the scammer calls people and identifies himself as a lieutenant from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to obtain money.

PINELLAS COUNTY – Sheriff’s detectives are warning residents to be on the alert for a recent phone scam in which the scammer calls Pinellas residents and identifies himself as Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Thomas Jackson.

The scammer then tells the resident that they have an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty. The scammer tells the target that, if they don’t turn themselves in at the Sheriff’s Office or pay the fines, they will be arrested at their residence.

The scammer instructs the victim to go to the nearest convenience store to purchase gift cards in increments of $500. The suspect instructs the target to provide the numbers on the back of the gift card and claims that the warrant will be purged from the system once the money is paid.

Deputies said there have been multiple incidents where Pinellas County residents have been targeted using this scam.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office says deputies will never call citizens requesting money over the telephone. Deputies advise residents not to give personal information or account information over the phone, and to call the Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious activity.

If anyone has information on this scam or has become a victim, they should call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200.

For information about the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas County Sheriff | Phone Scam | Crime | Scam Warning | TB Reporter

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