Pinellas Sheriff Warns Residents About Ongoing Phone Scams

PINELLAS BEACHES, FL – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s economic crime unit detectives are warning residents to beware of two phone scams that have been targeting Pinellas County residents.

Detectives say residents are receiving phone calls from people identifying themselves as either a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office sergeant or a Duke Energy employee.

The fake sergeant, who calls himself Sgt. Jim Gaskins, tells the resident that an outstanding warrant has been issued for the resident for missing jury duty. The sergeant says the resident could face arrest unless they pay a fine.

The resident is then told to go to the nearest convenience store to purchase a pre-paid debit, credit or gift card and give the card numbers to the sergeant over the phone so the fine can be paid.

In the case of the Duke Energy phone scams, a person claiming to be a representative of Duke Energy is calling residents and demanding payment for a late bill or the resident’s power will be turned off.

Like the sheriff’s office scam, the resident is told to go to a convenience store and purchase a pre-paid debit, credit or gift card in the amount owed and give the caller the numbers on the card to provide payment for the bill.

The Pinellas County Sheriff Office said neither the sheriff’s office nor Duke Energy will ever call residents requesting money over the phone.

Detectives say a number of residents have received these calls since Feb. 26.

They are warning residents not to give personal information or account information over the phone and to call the sheriff’s office if they are a victim of either scam at (727) 582-6200.

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