A man in Pinellas County identifying as Lieutenant Thomas Jackson is running a scam about outstanding warrants for missing jury duty.
According to detectives, he informs citizens if they don't turn themselves in at the Sheriff's Office, or pay the fines, they will be arrested at their residence.
The suspect tells the person to go to the nearest convenience store to purchase gift cards in increments of $500.00. He then tells them to provide the numbers on the back of the gift card and claims that the warrant will be purged from the system once the money is paid.
Detectives say there have been multiple incidents where Pinellas County citizens have been targeted using this scam.
**Please note: The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office will never call citizens requesting money over the telephone. Detectives advise citizens to not give personal information or account information over the phone, and call the Sheriff's Office to report suspicious activity.
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.
