ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has also issued a warning about scam calls pretending to be representatives of their agency.
MCSO says in a Facebook post that their office has received reports of citizens receiving phone calls from individuals posing as a deputy with using the name “Sergeant Joseph Walker.” The message is that “Sergeant Walker” has an urgent personal matter and that he needs you to call him back. MCSO says “THIS IS A SCAM!!!”
ORIGINAL 10/10: The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) recently shared an audio recording of a scam call once again circulating in the area.
Deputies say these scammers have been calling Alachua County citizens while posing as local law enforcement officers. Sometimes, according to ACSO, the scammers even go as far as using the names and identities of real deputies.
The scam calls reportedly begin with the caller claiming to be a deputy with ACSO. Then, the scammer tells the citizen they have missed jury duty and demands payment, usually via a gift card. Deputies say these scammers act demanding and use high-pressure tactics to intimidate the citizen.
These scams are reportedly becoming more sophisticated. The name or phone number attached to the scam call may look legitimate, but ACSO encourages anyone who receives one of these calls to hang up immediately. Citizens can call ACSO directly at 352-955-1818.
ACSO reminds citizens that no law enforcement agency will ever demand money over the phone.