***Update begins on 11/18/2016***

The 2016 Fraud Awareness Week has concluded and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is proud to share some statistics regarding this year's Fraud Awareness Week.

The following is a total amounts throughout the week of November 14 - 18, 2016.

The total in attendance for fraud prevention forums was 215.  This is a 306% increase from last year's total of only 53 attendees!

Pinellas County Sheriff detectives met with 15 citizens one-on-one.

5 new investigations were initiated, as a result from 2016 Fraud Awareness Week.

195 vehicles dropped off documents to be shredded.

Approximately 13,200 pounds of documents were shredded, for free, throughout Fraud Awareness Week.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office would like to especially thank Pinellas County Consumer Protection and Stevens and Stevens Business Records Management Inc.

***Update Ends***

*** Original News Release ***

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

Pinellas County Consumer Protection

Stevens & Stevens Business Records Management Inc.

What:
Detectives from The Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit and Pinellas County Consumer Protection will host five fraud awareness workshops to discuss the most common scams in Pinellas County; as well as provide tips on how to prevent becoming a victim.

Pinellas residents are invited to attend the presentations, which will be held at multiple locations across the county as part of Fraud Awareness Week scheduled from November 14 to 18, 2016.

Raffles, refreshments and free shred collection will be offered at each workshop.

When/Where:
The workshops will be held on the following dates/times and at the following locations:

November 14, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Seminole Gardens, Peacock Center, 8324 112th Street North, Seminole

November 15, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, 2^nd floor auditorium, 1255 Pasadena Avenue South, St. Petersburg

November 16, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. - Noon 
Five Towns Community, Magnolia Sun Center, 7950 58^th Avenue, St. Petersburg

November 17, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Top of the World, East Activity Center, 2069 World Parkway East, Clearwater

November 18, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Palm Harbor Community Center, 1500 16^th Street North, Palm Harbor

Why/How:
In an effort to create awareness among residents about the most commons scams in Pinellas County, Economic Crimes detectives have joined forces with Pinellas County Consumer Protection to host several workshops the week of November 14, 2016 thru November 18, 2016. These informational workshops will provide citizens with the tools to help identify potential fraud scams and give tips on how to avoid them.

While these scams often target the elderly, everyone should be aware of these types of crimes, as fraud is preventable if the public is informed.

The public is invited to attend any of the above listed workshops, in order to learn more about trending scams and the tactics employed by con artists.

There will be raffles and free refreshments at each workshop.

In addition to the workshops, Stevens and Stevens Business Records Management Services Inc. will provide FREE on-site shred collection at each workshop from 8 a.m. to 10. a.m...
*Up to 30 boxes/bags. No wet paper, binders, garbage, newspapers, or loose cardboard. 

Please see attached flyer or visit www.pcsoweb.com

Media is invited to cover.

For additional information, please contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office at (727) 582-6221.