The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office warns the public to think twice before responding to unsolicited text messages or phone calls after a local resident received a text message and subsequent phone call on May 20 from an individual posing as a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employee who claimed the victim had an active misdemeanor arrest warrant for Failure to Appear.
The scammer, who went by the name “Lieutenant Hill,” directed the victim to report to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. He also provided the victim with a counterfeit legal document, dated May 19, 2025, bearing not only a forged State of Florida seal but also two forged signatures of a judge and Clerk of Court for Flagler County. The motive behind this scam is still under investigation.
“These scammers think they are getting more sophisticated by using realistic looking court documents,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “But the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will not contact you by text, phone or email demanding payment, sensitive information, or to tell you that you are wanted. Do not reply to unsolicited text messages or click on any links, and if you receive a call like this, hang up and report the incident to us or your local law enforcement agency. The best defense is to be aware of scams like this so you can protect yourself and not fall victim to their schemes.”
All residents are urged to be vigilant and to report any suspicious calls or messages via our non-emergency number (386-313-4911) or 911 should an emergency be present. Remember, if it’s a threat of arrest or the deal sounds to good to be true, it’s a fraud and hang up.
Laurel says
People today need to constantly be vigilant. I’ve been a member of the AAA (American Automobile Association) since the 70’s (!) and occasionally received emails from the company. A few weeks ago, I got an email from what looked very much like an AAA message. The days of misspelled ads, and funky labels and logos are gone. As a long time, favored member, I could receive a car kit, for shipping price only, that had many items in it that looked useful for things like a flat tire, jumper cables, etc., in a carrying case with the perfect AAA logo on it.
We have jumper cables, and with my membership, I didn’t need the kit! So I called AAA and asked them about it, and they said it was a scam! That shipping fee would require a credit card number. Man, I can’t tell you how real it looked! That, and the fact that they knew I was a member and they had my email address! Just a random shot? It’s good to call, and I used the number on the back of my AAA card, not the number in the email.
Also, I never answer a phone number I don’t recognize. They can leave a message. It used to be that 800 numbers were toll free for legit companies, and it still is, but, numbers like 888, 877, 866, etc., are not only for legit companies, but for anyone who wants to use them to look like legit companies. Buyer beware! Let ’em leave a message. Most of the time they won’t.
#MeToo says
Laurel,
I’ve had so many emails offering me that kit from AAA.
Thank you for sharing!
Skibum says
Exactly right, Laurel. And if it is getting increasingly difficult due to fraudster’ use of technology for the average person to figure out if they are being scammed or not, it is not hard to see why so many vulnerable elderly people fall victim to predatory scammers who think nothing of taking the last dime from a 90-year old’s savings account. I have to be increasingly vigilant with my 87-year old father-in-law because he has never been very knowledgeable about computers or smart phones, and some of the questions he asks me when he has an issue using them really gives me pause. I help him with technology issues frequently, and watch over his assets for him in the hope he doesn’t become victimized. Scary times!
Laurel says
Well, the thing with me is, I don’t trust anybody! Hahahaha! Dr. Phil once said (before he lost his mind, I think) “To give someone the benefit of the doubt is insane!” Oh yeah, I’m there. He did many shows on the topic of (sorry to say) not so hot old dudes thinking young, gorgeous women (in Nigeria) are madly in love with them. Same scam for women. You shake your head and wonder what are they thinking.
Then
We have half the country supporting the poster boy for the epitome of excess, gilding the White House, accepting a $400,000,000 jet from the Saudis (and now green energy credits are gone), the maintenance of which and use of paid by the taxpayer, charging the government for guests staying at his businesses as it is government business, selling all kinds of trinkets made in China, he and his family are getting rich off of namesake meme coins, and spending 25% of his time on his golf courses also paid for by the taxpayers. Meanwhile, we should “feel the pain” and he should decide how many dolls we can have, layoff or fire thousands of Americans, cut food stamps so kids go hungry and cut Medicaid so millions are kicked off of healthcare.
So, more people are vulnerable to grifting and scams than we realize.
Laurel says
400,000,000,000