The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating reports of scammers posing as deputies.
In this scam, the caller claims victims have missed a recent court appearance and attempts to extort money out of them.
The scammer's phone number may even appear as the HCSO non-emergency line, 813-247-8200, or appear to have the name of an HCSO employee on the caller ID.
"We want to be clear, this is a scam," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will not call you to inform you of a missed court hearing."
If you receive a call like this, please hang up and call 813-247-8200 directly.
Sheriff Chad Chronister released this Public Service Announcement about the scam: http://youtu.be/3dqLqcKvJRg