Monroe County Sheriff's Office recently issued the following announcement.
The Sheriff’s Office was notified of multiple Internet, computer and gift card-related scams this week.
In each case, the victim is notified by someone falsely claiming to be from Microsoft, Facebook or an Internet provider stating the victim’s computer, Internet access or bank account was compromised in some way. In each case the scammer states they can rectify the issue after receiving payment in the form of gift cards. In one case, the victim was contacted by someone claiming to be from the United Nations Development Program requesting gift card donations.
The criminals sometimes use real law enforcement phone numbers and often will use real local law enforcement officers’ names during some scams. Some residents have previously reported getting calls from someone posing as Sheriff Rick Ramsay.
First off: If you receive a call from a law enforcement agency/utility company/government agency/Internet provider/computer company or other business, hang up and contact the agency for verification.
Second: NEVER PAY FOR ANYTHING OVER THE PHONE WITH GIFT CARDS. This is a sure sign you are getting scammed.
In sum: Residents should never give personal, monetary, or gift card information to anyone over the phone, in a text, or an email— TO ANYONE REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE — without first checking with that person, utility, business, or government agency.
Anyone with information about any crimes should contact the Sheriff's Office at 305-292-7000. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-471-8477. If a tip leads to an arrest in the case, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips may also be submitted online at www.floridakeyscrimestoppers.com or via a text message using the smartphone app called P3 Phone. Tips can also be submitted via social media such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the @CrimeStoppers305 hashtag.
Original source can be found here.
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