The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) has been seeing an increase in warrant-related scams and is offering guidance on how citizens can protect themselves from warrant and similar phone call scams.
In a warrant scam, someone poses as a PSO member, using an agency member’s name and demanding payment over the phone. Often that caller tries to make the scam seem more legitimate by using a victim’s personal information, which the caller obtained from a public record search, according to a PSO news release.
The caller threatens the victim with an arrest warrant, or with an arrest, if the victim refuses to pay. The scammer also insists that victims do not disconnect the call or text anyone, or the fine increases.
The imposter also demands payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, credit cards or through money sharing apps, the release said.
Potential victims should know that the sheriff’s office will never demand payment over the phone to clear a warrant.
Here are some tips from the PSO to help you to protect yourself from phone scam:
- Beware of requests for unusual payment methods for government business, such as gift cards or money-sharing apps.
- Don’t provide or verify personal information with the caller.
- Don’t feel pressured to act due to the urgency of the caller.
- End suspicious phone calls immediately and report them.
- Call the business back that the caller is posing to be associated with to verify the legitimacy of the request.
These scams often try to scare people into handing over personal information or hard-earned money.
The best defense against fraud and scams is awareness, according to the PSO.
Visit PascoSheriff.com or follow the sheriff’s office on social media for the latest news.
Published August 23, 2023
