Man Scammed out of $7000

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that a person is once again using the agency to scam citizens. This time it cost a man over $7,000.

The victim called the Sheriff’s Office last Thursday to turn himself in after he believed he was contacted by a deputy about failing to appear in court. The caller used a name similar to one of the sergeants, and convinced the victim that there was a warrant for his arrest for not appearing in court. The scammer said the only way he could pay fines was through gift cards.

After the victim bought the gift cards and relayed the card numbers to the scammer, he called the Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in for the warrant. As deputies interviewed the victim, they were able to determine that he didn’t have any warrants and had been scammed. The victim lost more than $7,000 to the scam. 

What you need to know: 

1. The Sheriff’s Office will never call you to advise you that you have a warrant. 

2. Warrants are something you have to clear up in person, not over the phone.

3. No legitimate government entity accepts gift cards as payment.  

4. These scam calls tend to come in waves, and it appears it's happening in Clay County again.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends that if you receive a call asking for money, gift cards or other items to clear a warrant, you should hang up on the caller.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story