Scammer Posing As Pinellas Sheriff's Captain To Obtain Money

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives are warning the public of a recent phone scam in which the scammer is posing as a sheriff's captain to obtain money. Detectives were first notified of the phone scam on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

The scammer is calling residents in Pinellas County posing as sheriff's Captain Jack Peterson. According to detectives, the suspect calls victims and tells them they have failed to appear in court or show up for jury duty. The suspect explains to victims that if they do not pay a fine, he will send a deputy to their home to arrest them.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office advises that it will not call citizens requesting money over the telephone. Citizens should not give personal information or account information over the telephone unless they are initiating the telephone call and confident they are speaking with a trusted source.

If anyone has information on this scam or has become a victim they are asked to call the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at (727) 582-6200.

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