We received the following from a member in Hillsborough over the weekend:
I just want to inform you of a scam I experienced tonight.
I received a call from a man claiming to be a Hillsborough county detective. He told me that the state changed the classification of sex offenders. He said this just changed in the last 48 to 72 hours. He also said that I should have received a certified letter this past Tuesday notifying that I needed to report that day. It didn’t make sense because that letter he referred to would have come prior to the changed time frame he stated.
He then proceeded to tell me I needed to meet him to register. I asked if I was meeting him at the registration office and he was not clear with his answer. He just said I would have to be on a mobile call and stay on the phone while he told me what to do. So I headed out in my car and he proceeded to tell me that the judge set a bond and that they didn’t take credit or debit cards. As soon as cash came into play I hung up and went home. I called Hillsborough county sheriffs office and they confirmed it was a scam. The number that called me was 813-600-3512. Please be aware.
I receive one of those about every 4 to 6 months. The last time I called the SCSO to report it and they no longer accept complaints from these guys. The reason is, and I understand it, the phone numbers are not legit, and they cannot track them down.
Like God of War said, if they have a warrant, they are not going to call you and warn you so you can flee. They will show up and take you in.
The best thing we can do is what we are doing, and that is making sure as many registered citizens know as possible. Thank you FAC!!!
I did buy a marine emergency whistle. The next time I receive one of these calls, I am going to go full lungs on that call. Maybe a little bit of ear damage will get them to take me off their list. If not, I have good lungs.
No “judge has set bond” in your absence, unless you knowingly waived a bond hearing.
Jacob
I can think of one judge that might. Judge judy will do crazy things to get TV ratings LOL :)~
Scammers can spoof any number.
Remember that if an arrest warrant is out for you, LE will just come for you, not forewarn and demand payment. Hanging up (or using another phone) and calling one’s registering agency (often sheriff’s office) is another way to “play it safe.”
So many of us are in disbelief of the “non criminal” SOR requirements that when a scammer does call, we’re so eager to remain compliant that anything “new” doesn’t seem farfetched.
Ask for a badge number. You can add that to the police report. That’s impersonating an officer.
Also
In Florida you can go on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website and they have an Active warrants list. If you are wanted, you most likely will be on that list.
You can also contact the FDLE at
FDLE Headquarters, Tallahassee
(850) 410-7000
I googled that phone # and others have reported it as well. NOT just Offenders but general scams. Here was the last one reported
Hi this is the alert system with Visa Master Card Account Services with important changes to your account before the next billing cycle. If you received your new rates by mail and wish not to be contacted press three. Congratulations on your excellent payment history. You now qualify for a 0% interest rate on all your credit card accounts. This is a limited time offer and you must respond immediately. Press one now to speak to our qualifications department and complete the enrollment process.
Some of these scammers are able to use any phone # appear when calling. My phone # once got used by them and I got over 10000 angry calls from around the U.S cussing at me telling me to STOP calling them. It got so bad I had to change my phone # once it got hijacked. People were reporting me to the police even though it was NOT me calling them.
CherokeeJack, I would have changed my number after just one. You must have the patience of a saint!
Anonymous
No, not patient at all. Just not that easy to change your # with every person you know and all the business, billers etc. Plus changing my phone # caused a visit to Sheriff’s office for an update to stay in compliance.
( Hum that sounds a lot like probation ) No other group of people not on probation are required to do that so how is that not punishment?