New scams seem to emerge almost daily, and with advancements in technology, it's easier than ever for criminals to steal personal information or money.
This page is here to help you stay informed. You'll find details about common and current scams, along with resources for reporting them.
If you recognize a scam and avoid falling for it, you are not a victim—and there’s no need to report it to law enforcement. However, we encourage you to report attempted scams through the links provided on this page to help protect others.
If you have lost money or believe your identity has been stolen, it’s important to report the crime. Contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. If you're in Nassau County, you can reach the Sheriff's Office at 904-225-5174. You should also report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Protect Yourself from Ongoing Phone Scams
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about an active phone scam targeting local residents. Criminals are posing as law enforcement officers, falsely claiming to represent the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), and attempting to trick individuals into sending money under false pretenses.
If you receive a suspicious call or believe you may have been targeted, contact us:
NCSO Non-Emergency Line: (904) 225-5174
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office is also warning residents about a separate scam involving fraudulent text messages that claim you owe unpaid tolls.
We have received reports of individuals receiving messages that appear to come from SunPass or other tolling agencies, urging immediate payment. These messages are not legitimate and are intended to steal personal or financial information.
Scammers are constantly finding new ways to deceive the public, often by adapting old tricks with new twists. From fraudulent tech support calls and fake utility bills to bogus investment opportunities and online marketplace schemes, these scams can target anyone. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and never share personal or financial information with someone you don’t know or trust. Check back regularly for updates on emerging scams affecting our community.
The IRS scam continues to take many forms. Scammers may claim you owe back taxes or are due a large refund. Some even threaten arrest, legal action, or driver’s license suspension. These calls are sometimes followed by fake calls claiming to be from your local police or the state motor vehicle department in an effort to appear more convincing.
Remember: the IRS will never call, email, or text you about taxes. They communicate only through official mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
If you receive one of these calls, do not engage. Instead, report it. The IRS has set up a dedicated page to collect information on this scam and encourages victims to submit a report to help with investigations.
In this common scam, you may receive a phone call, text, or email claiming you’ve missed jury duty and now face arrest. The scammer may pose as a law enforcement officer, judge, or court employee—sometimes even using real names to sound more credible. They’ll often say you can avoid arrest by paying a fine immediately. Some will provide a callback number answered by a fake automated message claiming to be from a law enforcement agency.
Do not engage with these scammers. Never share personal information or send money.
If you receive a call like this, report it right away. Contact your local sheriff’s office or court clerk to verify any official communication.
The Clerk of Court regularly warns the public that missing jury duty does not result in arrest warrants, and you will never be asked to pay a fine over the phone or through unofficial channels.
Scammers are impersonating Social Security Administration (SSA) employees in an effort to steal your personal and financial information. These individuals may call and claim there’s an issue with your Social Security number, or say they need your information to send a rebate, additional benefits, or resolve a so-called “computer glitch.”
In some cases, the scam may come by email. These messages are designed to look official and may reference legitimate topics—such as cost-of-living adjustments—while directing you to a fake website where you’re asked to “update your information.” These sites are created to steal sensitive data like your name, Social Security number, and bank details.
Don’t fall for it.
The Social Security Administration will never call, email, or text you to request personal information or threaten you with legal action.
If you receive one of these suspicious calls or emails, do not respond or provide any information.
To report a Social Security-related scam:
Call the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Hotline at 1-800-269-0271
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY number: 1-866-501-2101
Or submit a report online using the OIG’s Public Fraud Reporting Form
Stay alert and help protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud.
Scammers continue to target residents with phone calls claiming to be from companies like Amazon or Apple. In one version of the scam, you receive a recorded message stating there’s an issue with your Amazon account—such as a suspicious purchase, a lost package, or an unfulfilled order.
In another version, the message claims there has been suspicious activity in your Apple iCloud account and that your account may have been compromised.
In both cases, the message instructs you to press 1 to speak with a representative or provides a phone number to call back.
Do not do either. These are scams designed to trick you into giving up sensitive personal information such as your account password or credit card number.
If you receive a call like this:
Hang up immediately
Do not press any buttons
Do not call the number provided
Do not share personal or financial information
If you’re concerned there may be a real issue with one of your accounts, contact the company directly using a verified phone number or their official website.
Stay vigilant and protect your information—when in doubt, check it out safely.
Scammers are using Facebook Marketplace and other online platforms to post fraudulent vehicle listings. These ads often feature a car or truck at a suspiciously low price—usually around $2,000—and come with an urgent story, such as a family emergency or military deployment, to pressure buyers into acting quickly.
In many cases, the scammer uses a fake website (e.g., “motors-sales.com”) and fake email addresses like “ebay@motors-sales.com” to appear legitimate. The buyer is then told to purchase eBay gift cards in $200 increments and provide the card numbers over the phone to secure the deal. Once the gift card information is given, the scammer disappears—and the promised vehicle is never delivered.
Never pay with gift cards. Legitimate sellers will never ask for payment this way.
Never share gift card numbers with someone you don’t know.
Don’t buy sight-unseen. Always inspect the vehicle in person.
Be wary of urgency tactics or emotional stories designed to manipulate you.
Meet in a safe place. For local transactions, you can always ask the seller to meet at any Nassau County Sheriff’s Office substation.
Stay alert and protect yourself from fraud.
This scam targets elderly individuals by playing on their emotions and concern for family. The victim receives a phone call from someone pretending to be a grandchild or other close relative. The caller may start with something vague like, “Grandma?”—prompting the victim to respond with a name, such as “Is that you, Johnny?” The scammer then uses that name to continue the ruse.
The caller claims they’ve been arrested and need bail money urgently. In some cases, scammers even send someone posing as a lawyer or courier to collect the cash in person.
If you receive a call like this:
Stay calm and don’t offer names or personal information.
Hang up and try to contact the family member directly using a known phone number.
Do not send money or give out any personal details.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by this scam, please contact the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 904-225-5174.
Stay alert—and help protect your loved ones by sharing this warning.
In this scam, a fake “salesperson” convinces victims to purchase U.S. Treasury bonds through them—something that anyone can safely do on their own through the official and secure website: www.TreasuryDirect.gov.
The scammer claims they need personal information such as your Social Security number, birth certificate, and other sensitive documents to complete the transaction. Once they collect this information, they use it to steal money or commit identity theft.
Important Reminder:
You do not need a third party to purchase U.S. Treasury bonds. If someone requests personal information to help with this process, it is almost certainly a scam.
If you or someone you know has been targeted or victimized by this type of fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. In Nassau County, call the Sheriff’s Office at 904-225-5174.
Did you know? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) plays a key role in educating the public and protecting consumers from fraud. Their website offers valuable information about a wide range of scams, including:
Imposter Scams – Someone pretending to be a trusted business, government agency, or even a family friend.
Prize, Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams – Fraudsters claim you’ve won something, but ask for money or personal details to claim it.
Romance Scams – Scammers pose as romantic partners online to manipulate victims into sending money.
Counterfeit Check Scams – Often part of fake job offers or sales transactions where you’re sent a phony check and asked to return part of the money.
To learn more or report a scam, visit the FTC’s website.
Additionally, the Office of the Inspector General works to investigate and stop scammers. You can reach them at 1-800-366-4484.
Stay informed and help protect yourself and others from fraud.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, scams, or financial exploitation, you can report it through the following federal and state agencies:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
National Elder Fraud Hotline
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Elder Affairs
Florida Senior Legal Helpline
Reporting Elder Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Seniors vs Crime Project
Protect yourself and those you care about.
Always verify suspicious messages or calls before acting, and report potential scams to the appropriate authorities.