Sheriff Warns Of Scammers Cheating Elderly Residents Out Of Money

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public to be aware of a scam targeting elderly residents.

According to the sheriff's office, several elderly residents have fallen victim to callers claiming to be attorneys, requesting large sums of money on behalf of a family member.

“These criminals are preying on the elders in our community,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “In several cases, these individuals have told the victims that their relative has been in an accident and that they need cash to avoid jail time. Unfortunately, the victims are so worried about their relatives that they fall victim to the scam. The best way to avoid these situations is to hang up and call the relative immediately. Do not stay on the phone with the caller.”

On April 13, a scammer told a 76-year-old person that their grandson was in jail and needed bail money. The scammer advised the grandparent to withdraw $18,000 from their account, stating that a courier would come to the home to collect the money.

The elderly person complied with the request. The scammer arrived at their home, took the cash and left.

Another elderly resident reported a similar incident the same night.

The scammer drove up in a two-door black Ford pickup truck with 35-inch tires.

Anyone who believes he or she has been a victim of this scam is encouraged to contact the sheriff's office at 813-247-8200.