In Clay County, the Sheriff's Office took to social media to issue a scam alert warning residents about fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials. These scammers, in a recent fraudulent scheme, have been using the name of a real lieutenant from the sheriff's office to lend a veneer of legitimacy to their ploy. As per the Facebook post by the Clay County Sheriff's Office, a voicemail claiming to address “urgent legal matters” has been circulating, coercing victims to stay on the line under false pretenses—and with the incorrect rank of the officer, no less.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office emphasizes that they would "NEVER call to demand money" nor would they "threaten arrest over the phone," dismantling the scammer's tactics point by point. These criminals leverage fear, urgency, and authority—three potent psychological hooks—to snag their prey. The office advises that "Real legal matters don’t get handled with pressure tactics and fake names." In the event one receives such a call, the recommended course of action is simple and clear: hang up and dial the sheriff's office directly at 904-264-6512 for confirmation and to report the incident.
