Pinellas deputies warn of scammer calling people pretending to be sheriff's office employee

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is warning of a phone scam in which the caller claims to be a lieutenant while demanding money.

PCSO says the caller blocks his phone number, identifies himself as "Lieutenant James Perry" and tells people they have outstanding warrants for missing a court date.

The scammer asks potential targets to call 656-650-1745, according to the sheriff's office.

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PCSO says its employees will never ask for money over the phone, urging everyone to avoid giving out personal information and to report all suspicious activity.

Anyone who may be a victim is asked to call the sheriff's office at 727-582-6200.

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