These columns list arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found not guilty or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.
OKEECHOBEE — A woman was frightened by a phone call this week from a man claiming to work for the sheriff’s office. This person told her she had an active warrant out of Okeechobee County, and if she did not immediately pay her fines, she would be arrested.
Luckily, the woman did not fall for this scam and refused to play ball with the caller. When she refused to pay up, the man told her he was going to send someone to snipe her and then said he would send a unit to pick her up.
As soon as she hung up, the woman called the sheriff’s office to report the call.
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office issued this statement after her report:
FRAUDSTERS POSING AS THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE
We want to warn the public about a dangerous phone scam where callers impersonate law enforcement and claim you have multiple bench warrants. They pressure you into immediate payment to avoid arrest.
HERE’S HOW THEY TRY TO FOOL YOU:
They use personal details found on social media to sound convincing.
They demand payment through gift cards, credit card info, or bank wires.
They use urgent, high-pressure tactics to scare you into compliance.
THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEVER CALLS DEMANDING MONEY
In a perfect world, people with warrants would turn themselves in—but that’s not reality. Law enforcement never operates this way.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET THIS CALL:
HANG UP immediately.
BLOCK the number.
INFORM OTHERS - let others know this is happening, especially us, so we can address it!
Please share this warning to help protect your friends, family, and neighbors from these criminals! Stay alert, and don’t fall for the trap!
