Phone Scammers Targeting Family Members (25-098)

PINELLAS COUNTY—The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the public to be on alert for recent phone call scams.

According to detectives, citizens are receiving phone calls from what appears to be their family member, but when they answer, it is actually a scammer who claims they have kidnapped their family member and will kill them if the citizen does not pay. The scammer knows personal details including their name and address which makes the phone call more believable.

If you receive a phone call like this from a family member’s phone number, hang up and try calling the family member through their contact information in your phone to confirm their safety. Once you confirm their safety, call your law enforcement agency’s non-emergency line (PCSO: 727-582-6200) to report this scam. If you are unable to verify that your family member is safe, call 911.  

PLEASE NOTE: We advise citizens not to give personal information or account information over the phone.

If anyone has information on this scam or has become a victim, they are asked to call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200.