Watch out for phone scammers impersonating South Florida cops, authorities warn

KEY WEST, Fla. — A South Florida law enforcement agency is warning the public about persistent phone scam attempts.

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According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies have recently received multiple reports of scammers pretending to be with MCSO, law enforcement or jail officials.

In the attempts, deputies said the scammers are calling and texting potential victims while falsely claiming to be law enforcement officials and making false claims about missing jury duty “or some other lie about a fake (or even real) criminal case to extort money,” according to a news release from MCSO.

Deputies said scammers are using fake court documents and notifications regarding nonexistent traffic or criminal infractions and some of the scams were targeting people who were already facing criminal charges.

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MSCO recommends anyone receiving a call or text from someone who is asking for money and claiming to be from a law enforcement agency to immediately hang up and contact that organization directly.

Authorities said a “sure sign of a scam is anyone asking for payment for anything via gift cards or Bitcoin.”

Anyone looking to report scam attempts is urged to save any emails, texts or messages and contact MCSO.

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