SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S FEBRUARY FRAUD ALERT: ONLINE “ROMANCE SCAMS” FLOURISHING
As I share this message, Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged, flowers are sent…love is always in the air in middle-February. Sadly, fraud is, as well. Those searching for that romantic connection often turn to online dating resources hoping to meet that special someone. The ongoing pandemic has left many lonely and isolated, perhaps making them […]
IMPORTANT FRAUD ALERT FROM THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents and visitors to be aware of a current phone scam involving criminals posing as Lee County Sheriff’s Office staff members. Using a technique known as “spoofing,” scammers utilize existing technology to transmit false caller ID numbers to your phone display. In this particular case, calls appear to […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JANUARY FRAUD ALERT: CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS
Cryptocurrency…a digital currency that only exists electronically…is exchanged and purchased online, through an exchange platform, without the involvement of a bank or banking entity. There are many “brands” of cryptocurrency with the list growing daily. Cryptocurrency has become a popular form of investment and can be used for quick payments, to avoid transaction fees that […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S DECEMBER FRAUD ALERT: GIFT CARD FRAUD
It’s holiday time and many of us are wandering around stores and malls searching for the perfect gift. We roam the isles and, having been unable to find an appropriate item to purchase, we surrender and approach the rack of gift cards. Gift cards are a wonderful gift idea. It allows the recipient to select […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S NOVEMBER FRAUD ALERT: MAIL THEFT
It has been brought to my attention, by our Economic Crimes Unit, that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has received a number of calls for service regarding mail theft from both residential and commercial mailboxes. Suspects are primarily searching for checks and/or checkbooks with the intention of altering and forging them. A third-degree felony, forged […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S OCTOBER FRAUD ALERT: COMMON FRAUD PRACTICES
Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies receive an almost immeasurable number of complaints, related to fraud, on an annual basis. As a result of online capabilities, scammers can operate from the farthest reaches of the globe and, as a result, losses are rarely recovered. It seems that as quickly as we warn the community […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S AUGUST FRAUD ALERT: CHARITY SCAMS
Regrettably, the United States and nearby nations are struggling with catastrophic fires, earthquakes and illness. Twelve U.S. states are battling 104 large fires that have already burned 2.4 million acres. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake has taken the lives of thousands of our neighbors in Haiti and well over one million island residents are struggling with […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S MAY FRAUD ALERT: AUTO LOAN REFINANCING SCAMS
This has been a difficult year, to say the very least, and many of us are struggling to make ends meet. Reduced incomes and lost jobs have forced many to reduce expenses and to eliminate that which is unneeded. A car or truck is, for all intents and purposes, something that we must find a […]