BROWARD COUNTY, FL — BSO is warning residents, especially older adults, to stay alert for scams that are getting more convincing and more aggressive.
In a public message, Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony said scammers often use the same playbook across different schemes: they create urgency. The goal is to push someone to act before they have time to think, verify, or talk to family members.
BSO said these scams can take different forms. Some involve someone pretending to be a grandchild in trouble. Others involve a caller claiming to be a government agency demanding immediate payment. Some scams pose as a bank warning about “fraud.” Others come from fake tech support representatives claiming a computer has a virus.
BSO’s guidance is direct: law enforcement will not call and ask for money or sensitive information.
“BSO and law enforcement agencies will NEVER call asking for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or personal banking information,” the agency said.
BSO also urged residents not to click on suspicious links or unexpected attachments. The agency said people should not send money because of an unexpected phone call, text message, or email.
Another key point: do not share personal, financial, or banking information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
BSO said residents should verify any request by contacting the organization directly using an official phone number or website, not the number or link provided by the person reaching out.
If something feels suspicious, BSO said to hang up immediately and report the incident to local authorities.
The message also asks residents to share the information with parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends, with a focus on protecting community members scammers most often target.
For residents who need to report a non-emergency issue, BSO’s non-emergency number is 954-764-4357. In an emergency, call or text 911.
What happens next is largely in residents’ hands: slow down, verify, and don’t send money or information to unexpected contacts. BSO’s reminder is that urgency is a red flag, and legitimate agencies can be reached through official channels.
