Tampa Bay Phone Scam Alert: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Last week, the Tampa Bay Times reported on a new and highly sophisticated phone scam targeting residents in Hillsborough County. This scam was so convincing that it almost led Tampa resident and venture capitalist Joey Rosati to pay $9,000 in bogus fines. Read on to learn more about this alarming incident and discover essential tips to protect yourself from scammers.

The Incident

While shopping at Costco, Joey Rosati received a phone call from someone claiming to be a deputy from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The caller informed Rosati that he had failed to appear for jury duty and needed to report to the sheriff’s station immediately. To establish credibility, the caller provided Rosati’s personal information, including the last four digits of his Social Security number, full name, address, and recent house relocation details. Additionally, the caller gave an alleged badge number, name, and a call-back phone number that appeared to be from the sheriff’s office, thanks to caller ID spoofing.

The Scam Unfolds

Rosati’s initial suspicion was quelled by the detailed personal information and the professional demeanor of the caller. He began to believe the urgency of the situation and headed towards the sheriff’s department, fearing the serious consequences of not complying. The scam’s true nature only became apparent when the caller instructed Rosati to pay $9,000 in fines at an alternate location, rather than at the sheriff’s office. This demand for payment raised red flags, leading Rosati to realize he was being scammed.

Rosati detailed the interaction in a post on X that quickly gained widespread attention, where other victims of this scam came forward to share their experiences, some of which unfortunately did not end with a close call.

Warning Signs and Tips to Protect Yourself

Scammers often use fear and urgency to manipulate their victims, as shown in this scam. Tampa Bay Times spoke to Dr. George Burruss, a professor of criminology at the University of South Florida, who said the best thing you can do during this kind of phone call is not let anxiety take over, even if the caller claims to be trying to help. “Scammers have realized that soft sell and low pressure at first can result in a larger payoff later,” Burruss wrote in an email. “These scams have become sophisticated, and that tends to get around people’s suspicion.”

Here are some tips to help you identify and avoid falling victim to such scams:

1. Verify the Caller: Always verify the identity of the caller by directly contacting the official number of the organization they claim to represent.

• In this case, Rosati did just this by Googling the number of the caller. However, what he didn’t know was that the number he was seeing was spoofed to resemble the sheriff’s department phone number. Only once Rosati hung up and called the sheriff’s department official number directly, he realized that the call was not legitimate.

2. Don’t Rush to Act: Scammers use anxiety and fear to solidify their attacks, but often taking a step back and evaluating the situation can make all the difference.

3. Be Skeptical of Personal Information: Just because a caller knows personal details does not mean they are legitimate. Scammers can obtain this information from various sources.

• The scammers’ knowledge of Rosati’s personal information made this scam extremely believable. Bryan Oglesby, a spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau of West Florida, informed the Tampa Bay Times that it’s not uncommon for scammers to know personal details about their targets. Hackers have access to databases of stolen private information, which they can use to target specific victims through social media or other methods.

4. No Immediate Payments: Legitimate authorities will never demand immediate payment over the phone, especially to alternate locations.

• Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Cindy Stuart, whose office administers jury summons, said the only way you’ll face fines for missing jury duty is after appearing in court — and even that’s rare. “You typically just get put back into the queue and you will be called again,” Stuart said. “It’s up to the judge to impose a fee or a fine.” And if you were facing a penalty, Stuart said, a deputy would never call you about it.

5. Report Suspicious Calls: If you receive a suspicious call, report it to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

• File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): https://www.tampa.gov/service/internet-crime-complaint-us-govt
• For more information on what to do after a cybercrime, visit: https://cyberflorida.org/report-a-cybercrime/

By staying informed and following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to sophisticated scams. Remember to stay vigilant and don’t let anxiety cloud your judgment.

 

Information retrieved from the Tampa Bay Times. To view the full article and learn more about this scam, visit:
https://fightcybercrime.org/blog/how-to-spot-veteran-charity-scams/