News from Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office
Last week, Sheriff Noel E. Stephen shared information regarding scammers who are using cloning and cloaking technology to disguise phone numbers in an effort to gain access to your personal and financial information. Many of these criminals rely on intimidation and threats, falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers, court officials, utility representatives, or government agencies. They are not.
On Feb. 25, we have been made aware of another scam circulating in our area involving emails that appear to come from Florida Power and Light, also known as Florida Power & Light. The email claims there is a past due balance or an overpayment issue and threatens to disconnect power service unless immediate payment is made through a link provided in the message.
This is a scam and should be treated as such.
Unfortunately, week after week we continue to post warnings, and week after week members of our community are still falling victim. These scams often direct you to click on links sent through email, text message, or pop up notifications. Others involve phone calls from unknown or spoofed numbers where the caller threatens arrest, loss of utilities, suspension of Social Security benefits, or problems with a tax refund.
No legitimate law enforcement agency, utility company, or government office will demand immediate payment over the phone or through a random link, nor will they threaten arrest for refusing to pay on the spot.
If you receive a suspicious call:
• Hang up immediately.
• Do not engage, argue, or provide any information.
• Do not call back the number that contacted you.
If you receive a suspicious email or text:
• Do not click on any links.
• Do not open attachments.
• Do not reply.
Instead, independently look up the official phone number of the company or agency through a trusted source and call them directly to verify the claim. Never use a phone number or link provided by the suspected scammer.
We must work together here in Okeechobee County to protect one another. Talk to your parents, grandparents, neighbors, and coworkers. Share these warnings. A simple conversation could prevent someone from losing their hard earned money.
We hope this is one of those messages you read and pass along. Staying alert and staying informed is one of the strongest defenses we have against those who seek to take advantage of our community.
