18/09/2026
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BE CAREFUL ANOTHER SCAM ALERT!
There is another scam going around where callers are identifying themselves as members of the Polk County Sheriff's Department and claiming they need you to return their call or meet them somewhere to discuss a legal matter.
The scammers are using the actual names of Sheriff's Office employees. They may tell you they're Sgt. So-and-So, Major So-and-So, or another legitimate employee.
So don't make the mistake of calling the Sheriff's Office and simply asking, “Does Sgt. So-and-So work there?”
They probably do.
Instead, call the agency's main, publicly listed number and ask them to verify the specific matter the caller is claiming to contact you about.
Polk County Sheriff's Office main number is (863) 298-6200.
If you do answer one of these calls:
Don't provide personal information.
Don't give them money.
Don't call a number they provide.
Don't meet them somewhere they've instructed you to go.
Hang up and either report it or verify the call yourself.
Law enforcement generally isn't going to cold-call you from some random personal cell or private number and then direct you to meet somewhere to handle a legal issue. If there really is a legitimate reason for law enforcement to contact you, verify it through the agency's official main number.
And pay attention to the details.
As you can see in this particular call, the number isn't a local Sheriff's Office number. The message also refers to the agency as the “Sheriff's Department.” Here in Polk County, it is the Polk County Sheriff's Office. That may seem like a small detail, but scammers often get official terminology wrong.
PCSO itself has warned that scammers have used real employees' names, fake callback numbers, and even recordings designed to sound like an official Sheriff's Office.
Don't let a name, badge number, title, or convincing voicemail fool you.
When in doubt: hang up, call the agency's main number, and verify/report.