MELBOURNE, Fla. – A scam artist impersonating a police officer tricked a Melbourne woman into paying almost $500 to avoid being arrested, Brevard County deputies reported on Wednesday.
Officers said the victim received a call from a man claiming to be police saying that the victim had failed to appear at a mandatory court date for a traffic violation. Cops said the man on the phone told the victim they could avoid being arrested by paying the fine plus associated court fees totaling $496.34.
The caller then instructed the victim to purchase a "Green Dot Money Pak" prepaid debit card from a local business, remaining on the line all the while, police said. Then the victim was instructed to give the caller information off the card so the money could be transferred to an unknown account.
Deputies said they want citizens to know that this is not a law enforcement or clerk of courts practice, and anyone who receives a similar request should contact police immediately.
Anyone with information should call the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit at 321-633-8410 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-8477.