Manatee Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents About Ongoing Law Enforcement Impersonation Scam

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to remain vigilant as scammers continue posing as deputies in an effort to steal money from unsuspecting victims.

According to the sheriff’s office, the scam is not new but continues to target people by using publicly available information, including the names and phone numbers of Manatee County Sheriff’s Office employees, to make fraudulent calls appear legitimate.

Scammers commonly claim that the victim has an outstanding arrest warrant, missed jury duty or a court summons, or has unpaid traffic citations that require immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal consequences. In some cases, the callers use a technique known as caller ID spoofing, making it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate law enforcement or government phone number.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that law enforcement officers will never demand payment over the phone to prevent an arrest or resolve a legal matter.

Officials urge anyone who receives one of these calls to hang up immediately and avoid providing personal or financial information. Residents who are uncertain whether a call is legitimate should contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 941-747-3011, extension 2260, to verify the information before taking any action.

Authorities continue to encourage the public to share information about these scams with family members and friends, particularly older adults who are frequently targeted by fraudsters.