The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has issued a stern warning to the local community about the rise of sophisticated scams, with a recent victim losing $500 through a deceitful phone scheme. The alert, posted on their Facebook page, offers a straightforward guideline for residents to safeguard themselves against such fraudulent activities. The message, succinct as it is, carries the weight of urgency: scams in Jacksonville are not the exception but the norm, the scammers impersonating law enforcement to exploit trust.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized that impostors have been spoofing their phone numbers to swindle residents, as happened last week when a local resident was conned out of $500. This strategy is becoming more common, with the Sheriff’s Office urging the community to trust their instincts if a call, ostensibly from their offices or substations, doesn’t feel right. They recommend hanging up immediately and verifying by calling their official number at 904.630.0500.
The Sheriff’s Office also advises those who believe they may have been scammed to act promptly. “If you think you’ve been scammed, don’t wait. Call us right away. There’s no shame, only action,” the post reads. The goal is to stop the scammers, not blame the victims…