Member Submission: Scam in Alachua County
I have been waiting for two years for my husband to be hit by a scam targeting people on the registry. Well, it finally came today.
I received a call on my cell, which is not registered because it is MY cell, by an individual who introduced himself as an Alachua County sheriff. I would not have normally answered the call but I recognized the number on the Caller ID. I could not remember where I had seen it before, but knew it was legitimate. It turns out it was the main number for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The scammer had spoofed it.
The guy just did not sound like a sheriff’s deputy. He seemed to have trouble getting his act together. Several things I said seemed to throw him as I guess I was not following the script that I was expected to follow. Unfortunately for the scammer, he had no idea that I was an active member of FAC and had read the many posts at our site warning all of us about people like him.
After he regained his composure, he said that he needed some information about my husband. As many of you know, my husband has dementia, and I have to handle everything for him.
At that point, I told the guy that I felt this was a scam but I was willing to hear what he had to say (just in case I was wrong).
That clearly irritated him. I told him that no law enforcement official would be irritated with me for saying that. They understand that there are a lot of scams going around and would have offered to verity that they were the “real” thing.
That made the guy even madder. I repeated that I was willing to listen to him but wanted him to know that I was strongly suspicious it was all a scam.
At that point, he angrily said he would be sending two deputies to our house to arrest my husband for a noncompliance charge. When I asked specifically what the noncompliance charge would be, he said it was because I had accused a deputy (him) of trying to scam me. He then hung up.
I called Detective Ferguson who heads up the SO Department in Alachua. I have always found him to be courteous and professional and having a lot of common sense. I explained that the man claimed to be a deputy in Alachua Co and gave the detective the Caller ID. Yes, he said, the guy clearly had spoofed their main number. And, no, there was no one headed to our house to arrest my husband.
So, Alachua County registered citizens, beware of someone who might be targeting other registered citizens in our county. Apparently, I am the first person to report the scam to the sheriff’s office here. If there are any other people who are targeted, please report it to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The spoofed number that the scammer used will get you through to report him: 352-367-4000.
Thank you,
Media Chair
That sucks. I got the scam call a few weeks ago here in Clay county tho i did not answer and they left a voicemail (Story is here on this website) it scared the crap out of me and put me in such a horrible mental state for roughly a day til i was able to finally verify it was a scam call. It messed me up bad to the point where i am actively working on leaving the state. Tho it will take me 2 years. Glad you knew it was a scam right away.
Someone had tried to scam me in Leon county in a similar fashion and I didn’t want my name attached to the report so I wanted them to fill out the report anonymously. Those people just about lost their minds. They’re absolutely needs to be a clear method of filing reports anonymously to avoid retaliation.
Good going contributor #9!!! I just wish I could get my hands on such characters. It would not be pretty at least from the scammer’s point of view.
Others have said they answer phone calls from unknown numbers to waste their time. I never do. If the call addresses me, they will leave a message. Period. Not on my contact list, I do not answer.
You answered because “I would not have normally answered the call but I recognized the number on the Caller ID.” If the phone number was important, why wasn’t it on your contacts?
“As many of you know, my husband has dementia, and I have to handle everything for him.” I guess I, who daily checks FAC, doesn’t know you. I have no clue who you are, Media Chair.
Just don’t answer your phone, which has worldwide access to it.
Well, you are not the first person in Alachua County to report a scam to the sheriffs office. I did it last year and really felt like it was a waste of time and effort. They said that there was nothing they could do.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the sheriff’s office try to keep calm if you answer the phone. If they leave a voicemail call the sheriff’s department verifying your compliance. Law enforcement won’t call you for a violation they’ll come get you.
Wouldnt they need to talk to you first to do their investigation? When i first got into trouble many years ago, i got a call from a detective asking me to come to the police station to talk.
Oops I meant warrant
Funny part of the warrant is when i first got into trouble they issued my warrant, The detective called me to let me know THis was a Friday. He said to take the weekend to get my affairs in order and to turn myself in on Monday. After Monday they would come get me. Which i did Monday afternoon, After stopping at a bail bondsman office
Dear author of this article
This may not work for you but here is what I do. I wait for a voicemail. If they do not leave one, I will never pick it up. I make an exception of course if I see my Mom, Dad, sister, friends or someone I have saved in my phone.
I have been getting a call from 904 area code every day for the past month. I never answer it and they never leave a voice mail.
You did good for not falling for it but I would have hung up on them right away. I use to be a cop and we never let someone know they had a warrant, how would we ever catch them if we made it that easy?
Had this scam last year in hernando county. Got the scammers email, cashapp, they threatening me my family, actually called the police fo my door after I told them I knew it was a scam. Officers showed up because someone reported my address which they got off registry
with having a peeping Tom. Told three officers one a deputy other was his commander that day everything gave them everything I had which I had facebook information these scammers lived in county oceola. Yes I had them on phone for 4 hours getting this lol. But after tell them and showing them proof the deputies and asking is this harrasment they wanted money also impersonation of an officer, and then one last thing the anonymous phone call that came literally one minute after I told these scammers over text to f off they were not officers. They responded well we shall see sending deputies now. One minute later verified by deputy the call came in to report peeping tom at my house anonymously and 5 minutes after call deputies at my door looking asking for me too lol. So I asked them is this not a crime. They said yes but hard to find them and all just know if we want you we will come get you in person and we do not ask for money over phone ever. They didnt want to do anything and just left. Well to protect myself I contacted scammers personally. Well apparently this one guy got this scam presented to him In prison which I did verify at the time his cell mate and he was a registrant who either knew or thought of it never got a correct answer so he took it added his technical flare ro it. Like I said I had to turn to the criminals scammere to contact for officers did not want to do anything to help! Sucks but hey didnt spend a dime.
huh?
Scammers actually when I told them they where fake called the police in hernando county to my door with a peeking tom complaint “someone spying in my window at my address”. Once deputies found out I was a registrant and this was an actuall scam with text messages, cash app, linked Facebook to another number used during scam, and the phone call a minute after the scammer text me they would have police sent to my door to pick me up was verified did not want to help me . Told me and my fiance do not accept phone calls unless you know the deputy beforehand and expecting the call. Also said well hey this happens we will come get you if we want you. Literally said this in front of me said it was to hard to find these scammers bring them to justice. I said what about the anonymous call that is definetly misuse of the emergency line. Pretty much blew me off saying well your name is out there on the registry. Yeah sheriff’s do not help or know it’s not going to advance their career to bust a scammer who try’s to scam a resistant.
Registrant* sorry
And to clarify I had a 4 hour conversation via phone and mostly test last hour stalling getting information of who was scamming me. Again I was able to obtain this person’s name his fiance’s name, Facebook’s, associations, cash apps yes more than one, phone numbers. Provided this to deputies who looked took notes but not enough to do an investigation like any of the above information. I’m ex army did alot of reports they just blew this off like nothing happened even though these scammers where saying there where osceola police and trying to get money for a fine I had. Covid related fine or something like that and as a registrant did not do something made up but can pay a fine and cash app it to them. I’m not stupid played them got 4 hours. Reporter it to police and nothing so after police left used other methods I know and figured out addresses. Told them I knew all this info why did they do this to me all o want is answers to questions. Unfortunately had to use my not so favorable criminal bonding side ( aka made stuff up) and asked how did he come up with this scam. He said over the phone my fiance present that he got it from his cell mate while locked up in Florida prison you know about 11-29. His cell mate a registrant told him about how all info is online for us and can be used to scam or blackmail people. Well this guy I was talking to over the phone now said he use his model tweaked it. Ask other questions got some answers I needed maybe true maybe not. But I do believe the cell mate or in prison ran into a registrant who told him all Information is online to blackmail us. Thank you
Crazy
I just had a thought that ALL of us are over looking. This keeps happening to us and our families. In your case, the real police came and wasted resources. These scams should be used in the Ex post facto or any of our challenges as proof we are being punished and others are getting hurt from this. Even law enforcement is getting abused.
What if the police had come to your home and shot you because of something the scammers said to them? This is over the top wrong. What’s next, our kids getting kidnapped and held for ransom because of the registry?
If someone kidnapped your kids isn’t that a registrable offense, so they’d be placing themselves on the hit list. Recently I heard John Walsh used CPS to take his grandchildren away from his daughter because she asked questions about her brother’s case. Now they are staying on his island, so isn’t that kidnapping also, making him a potential club member.
Well my answer to the scammers was..come arrest me you inbred hillbilly fuk…oh btw i have not lost my second amendment rights so i would love to see his silhouette on my property, never had another scam call after that.
I got a call from a spoofed Veteran’s affairs clinic number in Ocala (The Villages Clinic). I didn’t answer the phone call but they left a voice mail saying they wanted to offer a new medication to me and that they was from the Malcolm Randall VA. When I called the number back is when I found out it was a legit VA clinic number but the number that they left me to call back was to the call center in the Villages Clinic near Ocala, FL that is open public. My first clue to that it was a scam is that they did not give a name of any of my doctors or a name to any type of program. My 2nd clue was that they spoofed a VA number from the Villages clinic but said they was from the Malcolm Randall VA in Gainesville, FL. Once I got a hold of the VA operator they also told me it must be a scam because they have no idea what I was talking about, not to mention that I have never even been to the Villages clinic. Anyways I just wanted to share that with any Veterans out there who might possibly get a scam/spoofed call like thar. Also I would like to say like Cherokee Jack mentioned. Whenever you suspect a scam call, it is highly recommended to hang up on them or just not answer the call. Never carry on a conversation with them. Some, if not all scammers record the calls so they can keep any info they get out of you on record. Also they try to record you saying the answer “Yes”. I have heard they can use your voice saying “yes” to authorize transactions over the phone. If you’ve ever done a transaction over the phone with a legit company. They always ask if you give authorization to make the transaction and the company records your answer. Therefore its always best to hang up and call the legitimate source of the place they say they are calling from. My dad got a scam call not to long ago from someone saying they was with United Healthcare. Good thing I was there because I had him hang up and we called United Healthcare and they had no idea what we was talking about. These scammers are evolving. Never let your guard down on an unsolicited phone calls.
Tim
Thanks for the mention of me in your post. As for your “Saying Yes” I am also aware of this and I ALWAYS make them mad (Even legit calls) because I refuse to say yes, knowing even legit calls can have a dishonest employee , like your bank that could hack your account.
I’m seriously considering an off-grid life. If the cops want to come to my section of the woods for an address check (or a warrant), they’ll either need horses, four wheelers or good hiking boots. Same goes for anyone who will try to do me harm, scammers included.
Just sayin
Every once in a while, I see vacant islands for sale for a few millions dollars. All of us should get together and buy one and start our own nation and all of us move there and “Unregister”. I will volunteer to be the islands Federal Law enforcement officer 🙂
I have thought about that too. Make our land a sovereign nation and elect our own “officials”, deregister and live our lives the way we should. Have our own businesses, stores, schools, etc. Only “registered” people would be allowed to enter. If we all had the money it could be possible and since society wants to ostracize us anyway, what could they do about it? Nothing.
It may seem like wishful thinking or a dream, but I really think it could be possible.
I’m sure that’s exactly what some politicians would love. Stick all registrants on their own island, banished from the rest of society.
This is an example of the ideology we are fighting against.
Consider instead the example set by Capt Bob, who by choice lives in the toughest county in the toughest state, is integrated into his community, and lives an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement.
Consider also that Sex Offender Island may not be the best place for raising and supporting your family.
If studies all conclude that integration into the community REDUCES recidivism, why would we resist that?
Guess everyone is missing my point. We would NO longer be sex offender labeled as we would file to have the island a separate country with our own laws. This was all in theory anyway as this may be the ONLY way any of us can actually live without having to watch over our backs every time we leave the house.
We all assumed once all our sentences were completed we could move on with our lives, but that ended up being the furthest from the truth there is between the Earth and Mars. When I was arrested there was not even a registry, nor at sentencing. And I am sure I am not alone in that. They went back retroactively Hella Decades on offenses. Name a single other crime where a new law was applied to former felons retroactively? I will give anyone who can challenge that, 5 cents, since that is about what I have to my name after paying my cell phone bill.
FAC
NOT if it is by our choice and not part of the U.S.
Not to knock anyone at all but every single time there is a win, a new law comes out and replaces it. Michigan is a train wreck. The registry was ruled punitive and all they did was basically submit a new outline with almost the same platform and put everyone back on it. (That is what some of the commentors on here from Michigan have said)
The only successes I have seen is a handful of people going individually before a judge when their time comes and being let off. And not too confident that somehow they will find a way to undo those, if they had their way.
With all the ever changing restrictions placed on us with each new session, it is only a matter of time when we cannot even leave the house without a violation of the registry. (If you can violate something, it IS in fact punishment).
Ok I will take my heart medication now.
Let the politicians live on their own island and concentrate on controlling themselves.
(I’m sure that’s exactly what some politicians would love.) I do not think many politician’s would love that at all, The multimillion dollar registry would be gone and they would be disappointed when they come up for re election for there would not be any new sex offender laws to enact.
The French already tried that, it was called Devils Island and Dustin Hoffman starred in a movie about it called Papillon, didnt turn out too well. My preferred tactic would be the same one used by the Canadian truckers, mass in numbers focused at a certain location. While we might not garner the same sympathy, it would put the general public on notice regarding the sheer size of our population and its voting power.
Europa
You mean like the protest planned for March of next year in Washington DC. How many registrants will actually go and not be fearful of making their voice heard in person? One of the reasons why our laws are like this is because there’s been no to little opposition, so politicians see that and run with it. Can’t sit around and wait for change to happen and let others do the bidding. There comes a time when enough is enough and it’s time to stand up, show up, and speak out about the registry.
Florida’s registrants need to call, email, write or go up to Tallahassee if the time comes to testify against a bill. FAC and their volunteers can’t do this on their own, they need people present.
Europa
And England did it, sending prisoners to what is now Australia. It turned out pretty good but assuming it took 100s of years to modernize and would have been rough for the first groups that survived.
And they also displaced many natives, just like what happened when the settlers came to North America. But then there are islands that never had inhabitants but during slavery and towards the end, many were simply left on islands to fend for themselves.
Considering the circumstances, those were some resourceful people I would have to say. God bless them all for what their ancestors went through. Even though I was not alive during the Native American wars, I am glad I wasn’t. Many do not know the natives welcomed the new arrivals with open arms only to be slaughtered some time later for the land.
Europa
The Canadian truckers are doing nothing but making people mad by costing them money and wasting a lot of people a lot of time. It’s just making truckers look bad.
So what would that accomplish? We are already disliked what good would being hated more do?
Disgusted
And not really that different than the Sovereign nations for Native Americans. Yes at one time my ancestors were forced onto them, but they can leave and go shopping or even leave period if you want. However if you leave for too long, you can be banished by some tribes.
I have visited several reservations in my younger days as part of learning my history. I found it to be quite boring. I guess we are spoiled as Americans. I do not think there are any Walmarts on reservations LOL
CherokeeJ…
I Stare At One Everyday out my back ‘door’
It is for sale for $11 Million…..Beautiful Beaches….Lots of Goats, Sheep, and Deer Graze there!
Easy to Barge in What You Need…Water Salination Plant and Solar is all. you need…And One Big TESLA Wall!
Grown Your Own Herbs!
Cheers!
11 million? Not bad, I am just a few dollars short, maybe you can go in on it with me. Sell a few goats and we will only need 10 million 999 thousand more HAHAHHA
Members with views of $11 million islands, are strongly encouraged to donate to FAC’s Legal Fund.
LOL
I have a view of a sewage treatment plant and a Pawn shop if that tells you anything.
I’ve been thinking along the same lines. “Civil” society has done nothing for me the last 11 years, why should I keep trying to participate.
I’ll take a different approach by staying here and fighting them at all costs with facts and wasting resources. Why let the “Gazpacho” police and politicians run us out of our country when they don’t do it for other criminals with higher offense rates? At some point the increasing number of the population will know someone on the registry and push back.
I used Gazpacho as a joke from yesterday, so if you know what I mean congratulations.
Brandon
I do know what you mean. Gazpacho was none other than the brother of Groucho Marx LOL :)~ Wink Wink !
Gator Jack
I’ve never understood how they don’t want us living in their communities pushing many without support/resources to the fringes or low income areas; while passing laws making it harder to leave this country because of our status as registrants.
During the 8 plus years dealing with criminal injustice system everything I believed in has become a joke and I understand why this country is a laughing stock.
Rep. MTG yesterday said, “ Speaker Pelosi has a Gazpacho police force on the Hill comparing it to Nazi’s Gestapo. Sad that she’s a member of Congress. Just wait till more Q supporters are elected and we’ll be FUBAR.
Brandon
I have to correct you a bit. We won’t become FUBAR. Why, well because I think we are already there. It is like throwing bread to seagulls, you are going to get pooped on.
CherokeeJack
Some advice when around seagulls bring an umbrella. You may look like a dork, but you won’t get pooped on.
You are welcome
By the way I’m not calling you a dork.
Exactly what i am trying to do. Planning on moving to Alaska in 2 years. No more internet, No more smart phone. Just sit back and enjoy nature. Go register when i need to according to their laws and that is it.
Walt
Before you pac your bags, do your homework. Read over the laws . Also call someone on the registry in the area you want to go and ask a lot of questions. I have spent some time in Alaska and it is a great place. Although not while I was on the registry.
There are other places that only have the registry because they have to to get federal money and they do the bare minimum to get the money. Like Kansas ,don’t tell anyone , they don’t do residency checks, they only send out a letter that you fill out and send in . You have 10 days from your check in date to send it in. You don’t list all your vehicles or internet and all that stuff. The police may drive by your house once in a while. They would rather not do that
at all, if you can talk to an officer that’s really honest.
Isn’t it strange that they don’t have a recidivism problem. The only thing about Kansas is they put as many people on it as they can in order to get more federal money. But when my 10 years was up I just wrote a short letter requesting to be removed and was.
It’s the state I moved to that is causing all the problems now.
David
This is the mistake I see SO many people make. They get off the registry then move, only to be put back on the registry at their new state. Why , why, why does everyone do this?
I see people on here all the time come from a state where they are not on the registry and come here to Florida and BAM! “Rock you like a Hurricane”, you are on for life with no chance of a life.
And everyone thinks this is a Republican issue, and it is not. No politician wants to be associated with sex offender issues, unless they don’t care about their career future. Even some judges in their hearts would help us but want to advance and again, do not want to be labeled as soft on sex offenders. (And yes, my opinion but pretty obvious)
I just want to go somewhere where I can get off the registry. Even if it’s a small chance or less onerous bs than Florida.
I signed up for this 20 yrs ago with a plea. Nothing today resembles what I was offered and told in the plea.
Any ideas for relocation, if so why?
If your offense was alleged to have happened before Oct 1995, Maryland will not register you (ex-post facto). You may still have an issue remaining with federal SORNA if not registered for 25 yrs yet, but since Maryland will refuse to register you, you may have an affirmative defense against any prosecution from the feds. Definitely hire a Maryland lawyer if this applies to and interests you.
Anonymous
I am sorry, I have no helpful information as to where to move. I am in Florida. It is crappy but the old saying seems to be true of “The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence”.
What is a good situation for once registered person is not always good for the next. I have seen so many people get off the registry and move somewhere else only to be placed back on that location’s registry. It is some sort of sick, twisted trap I tell ya!
I always ask the potential scammer ” What is the Sheriff’s
Of Leon County first and Last Name. If he answers that correctly. I put him on hold and join the Sheriff’s office to the conversation. They hang up
A.D.
Love that approach. Will definitely do that next call.
I got the scam call last month in Palm Beach County.
I made a nasty remark to them and they hung up.
I don’t want to publish the remark here, because the moderator would censor it.
That was that.
Same With Me…They Would Be Censored!
What I Respond to “them, With, Makes “them” Not To Ever Call Me!
I bet if the scammers were trying to scam the cops they would be able to find a way to do something about it
At this point they may as well do away with the registry, because all they’re doing is hurting people. A lot of it is collateral damage. There are many people on the registry who should not be on it and pose no threat to society. There are many who are rapists out there who never get caught and placed on the list like they should. The list is a joke and all they’re doing is endangering people. If there are people that they feel are such a threat to society, then they should keep them locked up.
Hey cherokee ill throw in and if you think about it 100,000 registered person’s in flash that’s only $110.00 per person is actually do able if everybody would go for it. Hell Australia was a penal colony at one time
Tim
The problem with Australia is the natives were pushed into small areas of land over the years just like here in the U.S. Heck even in the middle East, they are always fighting over who the lands belong to. People have been fighting over something since the dawn of time.
Food, land, girls, debts, weapons, technology, gold (That is my favorite lol)
100000 in Fla.was what that was supposed to be
My god, I wish a scammer would call me. I will waste all the time I have with them so they can’t scam anyone else. Like everyone has said, they are not going to call you and demand $. If you are going n the wrong they are going to just show up and get you. Ps if u can access internet, you must watch the scam baiters.
CKinfl
NOT a good idea from personal experience.
I had a scammer almost get me on a computer issue scam. I spent 2 hours trying to get my computer fixed and at the end, he wanted to access my computer. AND HE called me. I usually do not fall for anything but was so upset my computer had gone hayway.
Anyway I realized he called me but that my warranty was gone 8 years prior and even when IN warranty, they are not going to call and offer to help but I fell for it for 2 hours. Then at the last 2nd, God must have said “Hey dummy, wake up” and I told the guy nicely, “I am not comfortable with this and hung up.
Well guess what, he put my phone # on an auto dialer and it called everyone person on Earth, Mars and beyond. I called the police and of course they could not do anything. I called verizon and they said the only fix is to change your phone # and that is what I had to do.
My point is, just politely wish them a blessed day and hang up. If your piss them off, they can and will make you a target in many cases like in mine. It is bad enough so much of our lives are on public record that someone can actually go down to the county and take over your house without you even knowing it. That has been on the news many times just this year.
I always said I was not afraid of these people, that was until they made my life a living Hell. OK it already was one, but imagine even more problems on top of what we already endure. I have a pre-paid phone from Government assistance. I just found out that places sell our phone #’s and other info(Look it up) and that is why I/we get so many calls a day. I keep my phone off and just listen to the voice mails later in the day.
Of the 20 calls I get a day, I am lucky if even one of them is something I would have answered. I mean I live with my parents and I am on the registry, WHO is going to call me? Maybe Santa Claus but he put me on the naughty list 30 something years ago. 🙁
It’s hard NOT to take it personal, but just remember, it’s a NUMBERS GAME with all scammers. They know their success ratio and will keep at it until they find a sucker. They can call and harass 99 people and get no bites, then unlucky number 100 will fall for ALL of it and rush out to buy that coveted Cracker Barrel gift card.