PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a phone scammer who is calling citizens and pretending to be a deputy in an attempt to get money.
Detectives say the suspect is calling from a local number and identifying himself as Deputy Jackson.
He tells the person he calls that they have an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty and says if they don't pay fines or turn themselves in at the sheriff's office, they will be arrested.
The suspect may ask the person to go buy gift cards and provide him with the numbers on the back, saying the warrant will be purged from the system once the money is paid.
Detectives say this has happened multiple times. The sheriff's office will never call you asking for money over the phone.
Detectives advise all residents not to give out personal information over the phone and to call the sheriff's office and report any 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.
