PANAMA CITY— Authorities are advising the public to be on the look out for a phone scammer offering “bailout cards” for existing warrants, according to Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 1 p.m. Friday, a victim of the scam came to the Bay County Courthouse to find out if he had several warrants issued on him because of “violation of civic duty.” The man said he had received a phone call earlier in the day from someone claiming to be “Deputy Harris” from the BCSO. The man told the victim there were two warrants issued on him for violation of civic duty and he needed to go purchase a “bailout card” at a local discount or drug store for $498 and bring it to the BCSO lobby and turn it over to “Deputy Harris,” BCSO reported.
The victim’s wife grew suspicious and asked if “this was a real deputy” and the scammer hung up, BCSO said.
The victim was assisted by deputies at the courthouse and was informed he did not have any active warrants in Bay County.
BCSO does not contact by telephone with anyone having an active warrant. The BCSO would never ask anyone to purchase a money card to get out of an arrest warrant, officials said.
Anyone receiving this type of phone call is asked to contact BCSO to file a report. Whether contacted by phone, email or social media, BCSO advises it is important to remember to never send money in any manner to someone you do not know.