Orlando Police are reminding the community to stay vigilant in the face of a growing number of reported scams against local seniors.
According to OPD Community Service Officer Nicole Farmer, the senior population of Orlando has been receiving more phone calls from scammers as of late.
Farmer says those scammers are posing as utilities, the IRS, or fake medical agencies that ask for payment in gift cards.
“They make it sound very, very scary,” said Farmer. “Any reputable company is not going to request that you pay your bill in gift cards, so that is definitely a red flag.”
The department asks all residents who receive calls from scammers to hang up and call the OPD dedicated fraud line at 407-246-4012.
“We can get more information and make sure that this doesn’t happen to anyone else in Orlando,” said Farmer.