Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

What:
Detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Economic Crimes Unit will host various fraud awareness workshops to discuss the most common phone scams today; as well as provide tips on how to prevent becoming a victim.

Pinellas residents are invited to attend the presentations, which will be held at multiple locations across the county as part of Fraud Awareness Week scheduled from November 16 to 20, 2015.

When/Where:
The workshops will be held on the following dates/times and at the following locations:

November 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
City of Seminole Recreation Center, 9100 113th Street North, Seminole

November 16, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Feather Sound Community Church, 13880 Feather Sound Drive, St Petersburg

November 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. 
Madeira Beach City Centre Room, 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach

November 17, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Lealman VFW Post #4364, 4145 34th Street North, St Petersburg

November 18, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Avenue, Palm Harbor

November 18, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. 
East Lake Library, 4125 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor

November 19, 2015 at 11:30 a.m.
Safety Harbor Library, 101 2nd Street North, Safety Harbor

November 19, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Dunedin Community Center, 1930 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin

November 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. 
Sheriff’s Administration Building (Patrol Read off Room), 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo

November 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
Oldsmar Public Library, 400 St. Petersburg Drive East, Oldsmar

Why/How:
In an effort to create awareness among Pinellas residents about the most commons scams, Economic Crimes detectives have prepared a “Top 10” list. According to detectives, the most common scams include the so called “IRS scam,” “Jury Duty” Scam, and the “Romance Scam.”

The Sheriff’s Office invites the public to attend any of the above listed workshops, in order to learn more about these scams and the tactics employed by telephone con artists to entice their victims.

Investigators say, while these scams often target the elderly, everyone should be aware of these types of crime, as fraud is preventable if the public is informed.

Please see attached flyer or visit www.pcsoweb.com

Media is invited to cover.

For additional information, please contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office at (727) 582-6221.