Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

What:
Detectives are encouraging the public to be on alert to a recent phone scam occurring in Pinellas County.

When:
Detectives were first notified of the phone scam on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

Where:
The suspect is calling residents located in Pinellas County.

Why/How:
Pinellas County Detectives are encouraging the public to be on alert to a recent phone scam occurring in
Pinellas County. The suspect is calling residents in Pinellas County posing as a Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant, Lt. Wade Harris.

According to detectives, we have been alerted to two incidents in which citizens of Pinellas County have been targeted by the phone scam. He tells victims he is a Lieutenant with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and they have an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty.

He explains to them if they do not pay the fines they will be arrested at their residence, they can turn themselves in to the Sheriff’s Office or they can pay the fine and the warrant will no longer be active. He instructs them to go to the nearest convenience store and purchase gift cards in increments of $500.00. He then instructs them to call him back with the reference numbers located on the back of the card. 

The suspect making the phone calls is male and has gone so far as utilizing a police scanner in the background and typing loudly on a keyboard while talking to the victims. 

Please note: The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will never call citizens requesting money over the telephone. Detectives advise citizens should not give personal information or account information over the phone unless you are initiating the phone call.

If anyone has information on this scam or has become a victim they are asked to call Sgt. Frank Holloway with the Economic Crimes Unit at (727) 582-6200.

The investigation continues.