Starbucks in St. Augustine targeted in recent phone scam
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. Were all used to hearing of scammers calling our personal cell phones. It happened Sunday afternoon at a Starbucks location on Palencia Village Drive in St. Augustine, according to a St. Johns County Sheriffs Office incident report. The scammers told a Starbucks employee to count the money the store had on hand and then sent her to load up Green Dot prepaid cards with that cash, according to the report. The employee filled three cards with $1,500 before a CVS employee told her she had reached her daily limit for the prepaid cards. To report any type of scam, you can contact the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Prosecutors: Scammer who posed as fed sentenced in sweepstakes fraud case
A 27-year-old man from Jamaica who took part in a sweepstakes fraud targeting elderly Floridians was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison. Forbes and his co-conspirators often targeted victims who were elderly and more susceptible to fraud, prosecutors said. After they got them send money, they would often call again and try to get them to send more money by telling them more lies. The conspirators would often tell the victims that they had to send additional fees and taxes to ensure the safe delivery of the prize, prosecutors said. Forbes and his co-conspirators kept all of the funds for their own personal benefit, prosecutors said.
Catfishing: How romance scammers seduce seniors
According to the National Council on Aging, one in 10 Americans age 60 and up will experience some form of fraud this year. So what are romance scammers and how are they taking seniors hard-earned money? Watch out for internet friends who try to become close, but frequently cancel plans and refuse to give a picture. While itโs common to be untrusting of strangers, limited time spent on the internet makes seniors less able to identify abnormal behavior. If you wouldnโt trust them coming up to you on the street, donโt trust them sliding into your messages either.
JEA scam alert: Utility will NEVER ask you to pay with gift card
While the scam is not new, its causing some serious concern as JEA plans to re-start disconnections on delinquent bills, beginning next week. Sheila Pressley from JEA said if you receive a call with this message, hang up because it is 100% a scam. 1, we will never call you and tell you were going to disconnect you in 30 minutes, Pressley said. Call JEA and we will confirm if you are disconnection eligible.If you are threatened with immediate disconnection, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, and/or shut the door right away. JEA customers who suspect someone is trying to scam them should call 904-665-6000 to report it.
JEA warns of scam threatening disconnection of service
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. JEA is warning about scammers looking to take advantage of the coronavirus by threatening to turn off your service if you dont pay up. The city-owned utility said City Councilman Danny Becton recently received a scam call that he immediately reported it to JEA. The call included this message:You will be experiencing a disconnection of service today, within 30 minutes. Also, be on the lookout for threats that your connection will be immediately shut off. JEA customers who suspect someone is trying to scam them should call 904-665-6000 to report it.
JEA warns customers of Cash App scam
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ JEA officials warned Monday that they have received reports of scam activity against their customers. As part of the scam, customers are told to pay their utility bill with the Cash App to avoid their utilities being cut off. Not only does JEA NOT accept payments through Cash App, but the city-owned utility has also suspended disconnections of power and water services because of the COVID-19 crisis. JEA said will never require a customer to buy a prepaid debit card or call to ask for bank, credit card or other financial information over the phone. Any customer needing assistance with payment plans or general questions regarding their account should contact JEA at 904-665-5000.
Georgia Power reports increase in scams and fraud attempts
ATLANTA, Ga โ With a recent increase in reports regarding scams and fraud by criminals posing as Georgia Power employees, the company is reminding customers to be aware and follow simple tips to avoid being a target. Georgia Power urges customers to be cautious when contacted by an unverified person claiming to be a Georgia Power representative. Georgia Power also provides the following guidance to customers:If an account becomes past due, Georgia Power will contact the customer via a pre-recorded message to the primary account telephone number or by letter requesting that the customer call Georgia Power to discuss the account. If a customer receives a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from Georgia Power and demanding payment to avoid disconnection, the customer should contact the companyโs customer service line at 888-660-5890. Georgia Power continues to work with law enforcement agencies throughout the state to identify and prosecute criminals who pose as Georgia Power employees in order to defraud customers.
Putnam County deputies investigating complaints of arrest warrant scam
PALATKA, Fla. โ The Putnam County Sheriffโs Office is investigating complaints from people who said they received a phone call from a man claiming to be a deputy, asking people to pay hundreds of dollars to avoid arrest. Investigators told News4Jax the calls are part of a scam that was designed to prey on unsuspecting people who thought they were in trouble with the law for failing to show up in court. Investigators said that when the scammer called, he used a different name and title. Charlie Green of the Putnam County Sheriffโs Office. Investigators are reminding people that no law enforcement agency will ever call to set up payment arrangement to get out of a warrant.
Donโt fall for it: Army Recruiting says military draft texts arenโt real
Just a heads up: The U.S. Army is not sending out text messages to tell people theyโve been chosen for a military draft, officials from Recruiting Command said Wednesday. Even if there were a draft, itโs not a decision made by U.S. Army Recruiting Command. The Selective Service System, a separate agency outside of the Department of Defense, is the organization that manages registration for the Selective Service, officials said. The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual. Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist you into the military.
Law enforcement warns of scammers trying to steal the identities of children
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. โ Law enforcement is warning parents about a potential scam that could be used to steal the identity of children. Hereโs how it works: The scammers contact the parent offering โchild safety kitsโ saying that they are the best way law enforcement can quickly locate a child in an emergency. โIt said that you ordered a child safety kit from us,โ the man said. โYouโve just got to be extremely careful because there are people that will kidnap, but the main reason with the child safety kits is that theyโre trying to steal your childrenโs identities. The Better Business Bureau says scammers know that people rarely, if ever, check their childโs credit report, which means they can get away with using a childโs information for years before being found out.
Scams telling you to pay with Bitcoin on the rise
Now, scammers are luring people into paying them with Bitcoin -- a type of digital money or cryptocurrency. Read on to learn how to spot and avoid some of the top ways scammers are trying to get you to pay with Bitcoin. This scammer might use threats, intimidation, and high-pressure tactics to get you to pay right away. This type of scam works like a chain letter: someone promises that youโll make money if you pay into the scheme. Spot a cryptocurrency scam?