Brevard Citizen Reports Telephone Scam
By Space Coast Daily // October 2, 2013
Phone Scam Involved Fake Warrant for Failure to Appear in Traffic Court
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — A Melbourne resident fell victim to a telephone scam involving a false report of failure to appear for a traffic violation.
According to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Maria Fernez, a Melbourne resident was contacted by telephone where a male caller purported to be a Lieutenant with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. The caller advised the victim that they had failed to appear for a mandatory court date regarding an alleged traffic violation. The caller also stated that a future court date had been scheduled, but the judge had issued a bench warrant for the alleged “Failure to Appear.” Furthermore, the caller stated that the victim could avoid arrest by simply paying a traffic fine along with associated court costs totaling $496.34.
According to Fernez, the man insisted the victim remain on the telephone with him while he directed the victim to a local business in order to purchase a “Green Dot Money Pak.” The victim was instructed toremain on the telephone in the event they were stopped as this would avoid an arrest. After the Money Pak was purchased, the victim was directed to provide the card number and the scratch off security number on the reverse side, allowing the money to be transferred to an unknown account.
Citizens should be advised that this is not a law enforcement or Clerk of Court practice. Citizens receiving any similar request should immediately contact their local law enforcement agency.
If you have been a victim of Identity Theft or Fraud, or would like information about this incident, please call the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit at 321-633-8410 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). All Calls to CRIMELINE are confidential, and
callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for reward for information leading to an arrest.
