NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Nassau County investigators have seen a spike in scams targeting their residents and they want you to be on the alert.
In the last two months, several Nassau County residents have fallen prey to scams and lost thousands of dollars, the Sheriff's Office said in a social media post.
Recommended Videos
Deputies remind all residents that if someone calls or emails you and asks you to purchase a pre-paid card or to wire money for the following, it's a scam!
- Bail a relative/ friend out of jail or rescue a kidnapped relative
- Pay JEA to avoid disconnection
- Pay IRS to avoid/ jail or prosecution
- Unlock a computer which has been frozen
- Claim lottery winnings
- Anything else
Scammers can use technology to mask their phone numbers and have even posed as law enforcement officials. They can also copy legitimate websites so that they appear to be genuine.
All of the above companies and institutions DO NOT and WILL NOT ask you to give them credit card numbers over the phone, and WILL NOT request a pre-paid money gram or card or ask you to complete a wire transfer.
If you're not sure about whether the request is a scam, call the Nassau County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at 904-225-5174.
A legitimate business will not have an issue with you verifying its authenticity.
Deputies also warn residents to beware of work-from-home and employment scams
To learn more about scams and how to avoid them, go to https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts.
If you have been targeted by any scam, you should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their complaint assistant at www.FTC.gov. Please add “Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint. If you have already sent a money gram, wired money or sent gift or credit cards, contact the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office at 904-225-5174.