Did someone say you missed jury duty and wants money? Keys cops say it’s a scam

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is warning people in the Florida Keys not to fall for scams in which thieves are pretending to be cops asking for money, often cryptocurrency.

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The scammers have been identifying themselves as law enforcement and making bogus claims to would-be victims about missing jury duty or family members needing money, according to the sheriff’s office.

The schemes involve the use of fake court documents regarding false traffic and criminal infractions. Some of the targets are people with pending criminal cases, Adam Linhardt, the sheriff’s office spokesman, said.

“If someone contacts you asking for money, purporting to be from a law enforcement agency, any government organization or utility company, a bank, a credit card company, and so forth — hang up and contact the organization yourself,” Linhardt said. “A sure sign of a scam is anyone asking for payment for anything via gift cards or Bitcoin.”

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Linhardt said anyone receiving a distressing message supposedly from a friend or family member needing money immediately, to contact that person to confirm they need money before sending the funds.

“If possible, save the text, email, or any other information and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly,” Linhardt said. The sheriff’s office’s non-emergency number is 305-853-3211. Numbers for specific substations can be found at www.keysso.net/locations.

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