A Sarasota County woman is out more than $40,000 after three calls from someone claiming to be with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. The caller said she had a warrant for missing jury duty, then walked her through depositing cash at an ATM. She put in $18,000 before the demands continued and the caller turned threatening, even claiming she was under a gag order. Venice resident Stacy Fellows received a similar call but lost no money.
Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court Karen Rushing says these scammers spoof actual law enforcement numbers, which is why the caller ID looks legitimate. They also rely on fear and urgency to keep victims from pausing to verify. Her guidance is direct: the Clerk’s Office will never ask you for money, and neither will the Sheriff’s Office. If you get a call like this, hang up and contact the agency directly using a number you look up yourself.
The warning signs are worth memorizing: a demand for cash, gift cards, or ATM deposits to clear a warrant, an order not to tell anyone, and a ticking clock. None of that is how the legal system works. Share this with a neighbor, especially snowbirds and retirees who may not have seen the warnings. Have you gotten a call like this on the Suncoast? Tell us how you handled it in the comments.
