LYNN HAVEN - Someone has been impersonating a Bay County Sheriff's deputy over the phone, officials wrote in a 'scam alert' news release.
"In one of the reported phone calls, the caller identified himself as Lt. Martin with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and informed the victim she had a warrant issued for her because she failed to show up for jury duty," the news release states. "When the victim claimed she never received a summons, “Lt. Martin” began to ask the victim her name and address to help him “verify” he was speaking with the correct person. By doing this, he obtained personal information about the victim."
When the woman told the 'deputy' she wanted to talk to her boyfriend, a man who works for a local law enforcement agency, the suspect hung up immediately, officials said.
Investigators said the suspect is most likely attempting to learn personal information in order to commit identity theft or scam his intended victims out of cash by convincing to pay to 'have a warrant removed and stay out of jail.'
"The Bay County Sheriff’s Office does not solicit money from anyone over the phone," officials wrote.
BCSO officials added that anyone who gets a similar phone call should refrain from sharing personal information and contact the sheriff's office immediately.