By Staff Correspondent

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – A wave of scams has prompted warnings from both the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Alachua Police Department. Impostors posing as law enforcement officials are targeting residents, deceitfully requesting money under the guise of official business.

Alachua Police Department’s Warning

The Alachua Police Department has alerted the community about a recent incident where an individual impersonating “Sergeant Young,” a legitimate officer within the department, contacted a citizen. The scammer falsely claimed the individual had missed jury duty and demanded a payment to prevent arrest. Authorities emphasize that genuine officers will never call to solicit money. Residents are advised to immediately disconnect the call and report it to local law enforcement, refraining from sending money or divulging personal information.

Incident Report from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

In a concerning turn of events, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report from a local resident who fell victim to this fraudulent scheme, losing $2,100. The scammer had masqueraded as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office, successfully persuading the victim to transfer funds.

According to the report, the caller told the victim that their incarcerated family member could be released from jail if a bond was paid through a digital payment service. The caller also provided details about a supposed probation officer, a Jail Diversion Program, and community service requirements the loved one would need to complete after payment was made.

We want to be clear; it is not standard practice for law enforcement to provide information about probation eligibility or diversion programs in this manner.

It’s also important to understand that certain arrest information is public and accessible online, including names, dates of birth, and home addresses. Scammers may use this information to make their claims appear credible and to create pressure during already stressful situations.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and law enforcement agencies in general, will never call and demand payment over the phone under any circumstance. Scammers can manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from our agency, and they may even provide a fake badge number. These tactics are designed to build trust, but they are not indicators of legitimacy.

These scams are intended to create a sense of urgency and fear, making it harder to pause and verify the information. If you receive a call like this, we encourage you to hang up. If the individual continues to call or text, you do not need to engage.

Instead, contact our office directly using a trusted number. You can reach our non-emergency line at 352-955-1818, option 5. You will never be penalized for calling to verify information, and our team can quickly confirm whether a situation is legitimate.