Scam

SunPass officials say they are aware of a phishing scam involving use of the prepaid toll program's name.The scam uses text messages requesting prompt payment to avoid fees. The messages also contain a link to a fraudulent website in an attempt to collect information. Officials said SunPass does not send these messages.

Two scammers from out-of-county were intercepted by a Charlotte County Sheriff's Office detective in a Punta Gorda Publix parking lot after they tried to sell items from their trunk while parked in a handicapped parking space.A report from the Sheriff's Office indicated that on Monday, a detective in an unmarked vehicle observed suspicious activity in the Publix parking lot at 2310 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda while he was picking up his lunch.

Charlotte County cautions residents against providing credit card, bank, or other personal information to callers claiming to represent EMS billing or other county departments.A resident recently alerted the county’s Fire & EMS headquarters, stating they were contacted via phone by a party claiming to have an EMS billing refund due to overpayment and requesting the caller's banking information so they could receive the refund amount.

A nationwide scam involving jury duty and fines for a claimed non-appearance has prompted an alert from officials of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida. Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg issued the warning Monday advising the public of a scam in which callers pose as U.S. Marshals or other government officials and claim that the victim is about to be arrested for not appearing for jury duty but can avoid arrest by paying a fine.

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel will serve as one of the Fraud Week Ambassadors for this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week. ACFE is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider on anti-fraud training and education sponsors this annual effort to encourage community education and initiatives to raise awareness of fraud.

A scam targeting people being subpoenaed for court cases and demanding money to stave off an arrest is spreading around Southwest Florida.

A grand jury returned an indictment charging Timothy Craig Jolloff, 46, and Lisa Ann Jolloff, 56, both of Fort Myers),with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and illegal monetary transactions. Timothy Jolloff is also charged with multiple counts of bank fraud. The chart below summarizes the indictment charges and maximum penalties as to each defendant.The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit a 2019 GMC truck and approximately $3,403,265, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

Official City events can be seen via CapeCoral.gov; be wary of events that ask for payment if not officially sanctioned.

Tabria Josey, along with an accomplice, fraudulently listed underdeveloped plots of land with homebuilding or investment potential in several Florida counties. The case against her accomplice, Kiana Kiara-Alexis Russell, 22, of Loxahatchee, also involves charges of scheming to defraud, money laundering and aggravated white-collar crime and remains pending.The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution filed the case in Lee County due to the fact that many of the victims and listed properties are in Lee County.

A claim of failing to appear for alleged jury duty is part of a new round of telephone scams emerging in Southwest Florida.