Orlando, FL – Orange County residents are being warned to stay alert after reports of scam calls and text messages falsely claiming to be from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office surfaced this week.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are contacting residents by phone, text message, or voicemail and falsely stating that the recipient has an active warrant that requires immediate payment to resolve. Authorities stress that these messages are fraudulent and not connected to law enforcement in any way.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that deputies and staff will never contact residents to demand money, threaten arrest over the phone, or request payment via text, email, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Any message suggesting otherwise should be treated as a scam.
Officials advise residents who receive these calls or messages to hang up immediately, avoid responding to texts, and never provide personal or financial information. Victims are also urged not to send money under any circumstances, even if the caller claims urgency or uses official-sounding language.
If residents believe they have been targeted or victimized, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office encourages them to report the incident by calling the non-emergency line at 407-836-4357. Reporting these scams helps investigators track patterns and warn others in the community.
Authorities say scammers often rely on fear and pressure to get quick compliance, using threats of arrest or legal action to intimidate victims. Residents are encouraged to verify any law enforcement-related concerns by contacting agencies directly through official phone numbers.
Anyone with elderly family members or vulnerable relatives is urged to share this warning to help prevent further victimization.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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