ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Local law enforcement officials are urging residents to think twice before responding to unexpected phone calls, text messages or emails demanding money, warning that financial losses from scams and fraud are projected to exceed $8.6 million in Alachua County this year.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Elder Options held a joint news conference July 14 to raise awareness about increasingly sophisticated scams and to encourage residents to report suspected fraud before sending money.
ASO Public Information Officer Lisa Sacaccio said scams have become one of the fastest-growing categories of crime, with many residents receiving fraudulent calls claiming they owe money for missed jury duty, unpaid tolls or outstanding warrants. Romance scams, in which criminals establish an online relationship before requesting money, also remain common.
Sheriff Chad Scott said scammers continually adapt their tactics.
“These criminals are constantly evolving their tactics, using technology and exploiting fear, trust, urgency and even love to manipulate their victims,” Scott said.
Scott also urged victims not to remain silent.
“Many people are embarrassed to report that they’ve been scammed because these scammers are so convincing. Nobody should be ashamed, and every report helps law enforcement connect the dots to stop scammers.”
Losses continue to grow
Officials said financial losses attributed to scams now far exceed those from traditional property crimes.
According to data presented during the news conference, losses from white-collar crime, scams and fraud are projected to reach approximately $8.68 million in Alachua County during 2026. By comparison, projected losses from non-fraud property crimes—including theft, burglary, robbery and property damage—total less than $2 million.
The figures presented by the Sheriff’s Office also showed that more than half of local scam victims this year have been age 60 or older, although officials emphasized that people of every age have been targeted.
Florida Elder Options Elder Abuse Project Coordinator Leslie Andrews noted that the National Center on Elder Abuse estimates 44 cases go unreported for every reported elder scam, suggesting actual losses are likely much higher.
Creating urgency
ASO Detective Travis Parsons said scammers frequently pressure victims into acting before they have time to think or seek advice.
“They threaten some sort of negative consequence if the victim doesn’t pay,” Parsons said. “They will often ask for gift cards or cryptocurrency.”
Parsons said jury-duty warrant scams have become “a nationwide epidemic at this point.”
He also warned residents about so-called courier scams, in which victims are instructed to purchase gold or other valuables and hand them over to someone posing as a courier.
Capt. Steve Maynard said scammers often possess personal information gathered from public records, previous data breaches or online sources.
“It’s important to understand that these scammers have a lot of information about you, and they use it to make you think you can trust them,” Maynard said.
Verify before you pay
One of the simplest ways to avoid becoming a victim, officials said, is to independently verify anyone requesting money.
“If someone is calling you, saying that they are a government official or law enforcement, please verify that,” Andrews said. “Hang up the phone, call them directly, and verify it.”
Crime Prevention Deputy Cary Gallop warned that caller ID should not be trusted because criminals can spoof legitimate telephone numbers, making calls appear to originate from law enforcement agencies, businesses or even relatives.
“Make sure you hang up the phone,” Gallop said. “Don’t hit redial; look up our number and dial it yourself.”
Gallop also encouraged residents—particularly older adults—to consult a trusted family member or friend before sending money or sharing financial information.
Watch for red flags
Officials said common warning signs include requests for immediate payment, instructions to keep the matter secret, demands for payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and advice to lie to bank employees about why large sums of money are being withdrawn.
“Why would someone who is a trusted person tell you to lie to the bank teller?” Maynard said. “That should be a red flag.”
Andrews added that scammers intentionally create panic because “a sense of urgency shuts down critical thinking.”
Parsons also cautioned residents to be skeptical of unsolicited employment offers.
“If it seems too good to be true, it typically is,” he said, noting that some fake jobs recruit victims into laundering money or unknowingly assisting criminal organizations.
AI creating new risks
Officials also addressed the growing use of artificial intelligence by scammers.
Gallop said the Federal Trade Commission has warned that AI can duplicate a person’s voice using recordings such as voicemail greetings. Those cloned voices may then be used to contact relatives while pretending to be a family member in distress.
To reduce that risk, Gallop recommended removing personal voice recordings from voicemail greetings and establishing family passcodes or safe words that can be used to verify identities during emergencies.
Report scams immediately
Parsons said anyone who suspects they are being targeted should immediately end the conversation rather than attempting to confront or delay the scammer.
“You don’t have to worry about keeping them on the line so we can try to trace the phone call… Just hang up the phone,” he said.
Victims should preserve receipts, emails, text messages and any other communications before contacting law enforcement. Parsons said prompt reporting increases the chances investigators can recover stolen funds or identify those responsible.
Residents who believe they are being targeted can contact the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 352-955-1818, Option 5. Florida Elder Options also operates an elder assistance helpline at 800-262-2243.
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