Suncoast: Sheriff warns the public of a website posing as the official MCSO site
MCSO
MCSO FAKE WEBSITE SCAM: Detectives are investigating a website that is posing as the official Manatee County Sheriff’s Office page. Please be aware that www.manatee-sheriff.org (pictured below) IS NOT the real MCSO website. Our website is https://manateesheriff.com. Scammers have used real photos from our website in an attempt to make their site appear legitimate.
We have at least one report of a person receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be an employee of MCSO. The scammer told the person they missed jury duty and need to pay a fine, which they could do through this fake website using a “Virtual Moneypak Voucher Payment Center.” This is a SCAM!
Thankfully, this person did not follow the scammer’s instructions and reported this information to us. If you receive a call or message directing you to this website, please let us know, and do not give them any payment or personal info. When in doubt, you can always give us a call at 941-747-3011 to verify the legitimacy of a call or message. #SCAM #FakeWebsite