Scams

The FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are warning against a dangerous ransomware scheme.In an advisory posted earlier this week, government officials warned that a ransomware-as-a-service software called Medusa, which has launched ransomware attacks since 2021, has recently affected hundreds of people. Medusa uses phishing campaigns as its main method for stealing victims’ credentials, according to CISA.

This week is the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's National Consumer Protection Week and comes with a warning about the dangers of imposter scams.Imposters are scammers who work very hard to convince consumers they are a friend or relative, or that they are from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government agency. These fraudsters then take personally identifiable information (PII) and use it to steal victims’ money.

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.

A Sarasota man is among nine people from Florida and Ohio charged in connection with alleged schemes to defraud programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled, and to obtain controlled substances through fraud. The charges filed in the Middle District of Florida are part of the Department of Justice’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action.

SunPass is alerting users after a notice from the toll collecting service said there was a phishing scam targeting the general public.SunPass, a division of Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, said in a statement to customers that “SunPass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take immediate action on their account.”

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.

Former Cape Coral resident Devin Ryan Maresca will serve a three-year federal prison sentence for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.Maresca, 33, was sentenced Tuesday by Senior U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $74,700, which were the proceeds of Maresca’s mail fraud scheme.

A Fort Myers man is among three men sentenced Tuesday in connection with a $54 million bribery and kickback scheme involving TRICARE, a federal program that provides health insurance benefits to active duty and retired service members and their families.