SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JUNE 2024 FRAUD ALERT: AVOIDING IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE SCAMS
Many of those immigrating to the United States are unfamiliar with official titles, government websites and procedures as well as immigration law. As a result, criminals prey upon these individuals in an effort to steal and defraud. These practices are disheartening and disgraceful and they make an already difficult procedure even more tedious. Often referring […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S MAY 2024 FRAUD ALERT: AVOIDING HOME RENTAL SCAMS
Your search for an apartment or rental home has been tedious and disheartening. Rental prices and availability make the process extremely frustrating. The often difficult search for an affordable home or apartment to rent…in a suitable location…and the struggles encountered by renters…has caught the attention of scammers prepared to make you an offer that will […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S APRIL 2024 FRAUD ALERT: SUNPASS TEXT SCAM
You may have received this text message or one very similar: “We’ve detected a $3.95 charge for your recent usage of the Florida Express Lanes. To avoid extra fees, please settle your balance today. Click here to make your payment…” The text message appears legitimate, as does the attached link. The message, however, is fraudulent […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S MARCH 2024 FRAUD ALERT: HOSTAGE SCAM CALLS
Nationwide, victims are reaching out to law enforcement agencies regarding horrific phone calls indicating that a member of the family has been abducted by a Mexican drug cartel. Calls may come from a VoIP source which digitizes audio and transmits it over the internet or may simply appear as a standard local or out-of-area phone […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S FEBRUARY 2024 FRAUD ALERT: 2023 FRAUD NUMBERS ARE IN.
The Federal Trade Commission works diligently, throughout the year, to both document consumer fraud incidents, as well as to notify law enforcement of current trends and activities. The information is stored in a secure database called the “Consumer Sentinel Network” and available to law enforcement agencies only. This information is extremely valuable and we pass […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JANUARY 2024 FRAUD ALERT: LOVE IS JUST A CLICK AWAY…
Shortly following the start of the new year, holiday scammers tuck away their fraudulent Christmas emails, to be used again next year, and begin preparing their romance scam materials. Romance scams have become more popular and more deceptive and, as developing an online relationship takes a bit of time, the Valentine’s Day scammers are already […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S DECEMBER 2023 FRAUD ALERT: ‘TIS THE TIME TO GIVE…
The holiday season brings out the very best in many of us and it is a time of year that people are in a giving spirit. The holiday season is a time for appreciation and to think of others who are less fortunate or are in need of assistance. Coincidentally, at this time of year, […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S NOVEMBER 2023 FRAUD ALERT: VA AID AND ATTENDANCE/HOUSEBOUND BENEFITS SCAMS
As we prepare to honor our United States military veterans on Veterans Day, I find it inconceivable that there are individuals who would target those who have served our nation. The Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance and/or Housebound benefits provide much-needed financial assistance to qualified veterans and their survivors. Many of these veterans are bedridden, […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S OCTOBER 2023 FRAUD ALERT: UNSOLICITED ENCOUNTERS
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, in an effort to protect the residents of our county, will always share information regarding newly created scams and trending fraudulent practices. Despite these efforts, the volume and variety of these scams makes it nearly impossible to catalogue and to combat. What is feasible is to make our residents aware […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S SEPTEMBER 2023 FRAUD ALERT: CONCERT TICKET SCAMS
The days of purchasing tickets at the box office and/or waiting for concert tickets to arrive in the mail are behind us…replaced by digital versions of the once-paper tickets. As is the case with many technological advances, digital concert tickets are easy to use, easy to transfer and never left home on the kitchen countertop. […]