Disturbing new twist in SWFL phone scams

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Authorities are alerting people to be aware of a new and disturbing twist in phone scams.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) says scammers are calling people, and identifying themselves as members of Lee County Police, however, there is no such agency.

The caller asks to set up an in-home appointment if you have children or grandchildren. The caller wants to fingerprint the kids, and take mouth swabs for DNA samples and then says he will keep the prints and samples.

“They had received calls from people asking, claiming to be with the Lee County Police Department, or union associated, and of course there is no such thing,” said Stacey Payne, director of community relations for LCSO.

Payne says it’s likely the people want access to homes to case them for theft, or perhaps to get information on children to set them up for identity theft later on.

Payne says last weekend, apparent scammers set-up in person, outside a Wal-Mart in North Fort Myers. The store was not aware and did not give permission. A man and woman claiming to be from Amber Alert wanted to come to peoples’ homes to print the kids and take DNA swabs.

Payne says legitimate law enforcement would not do such a thing. She says, if you get such a call, hang up, and then alert LCSO’s fraud hotline at 239-258-3292.