COCOA POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Yvonne Martinez, Public Information Officer, 321-637-6309

Monday, February 27, 2023 9:43 AM

(Cocoa, FL)--We have been made aware of an individual making phone calls to local residents and identifying himself as a Cocoa Police sergeant. The caller is claiming the person is being subpoenaed in a civil case, failed to report for court duty and was therefore issued two citations totaling $2,000. The caller ID is an 800 number out of Greensboro, Florida.  The suspicious caller also states that he could assist by claiming the person did some police “Ride-Along”, which he claims would lower the amount of money the would-be victim would owe. In this case, the would-be victim questioned the authenticity of the caller’s law enforcement status which made the caller angry. The caller then threatened there would be consequences for non-compliance.

If you, receive a phone call from someone identifying themselves as a law enforcement officer asking you to act in regards to paying civil fines, or court orders, it is a scam. The Cocoa Police Department and its personnel do not make phone calls to individuals regarding payment of pending civil penalties. If you receive a phone call like this, hang up. Never provide, or verify personal information over the phone. If you have doubts as to the authenticity of the phone call, hang up and call your local law enforcement agency to verify and/or report the scam.