The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is aware of at least two phishing scams circulating on local cell phones and email inboxes and warns residents about what to look for.
Phishing (pronounced "fishing") is a type of online identity theft where con artists send emails or text messages that appear to come from institutions you trust, like your bank or credit card company. The message includes links to fraudulent sites asking questions designed to steal your personal data, account information or passwords. Criminals then use this information to commit fraud, steal money from your account, open new accounts in your name or obtain official documents using your identity.
One recent email and text message appears to come from Comcast XFINITY and includes a link to a form that requests the recipient to provide financial information and other identifiers that should remain private.
Another is a scam email appears to come from the American Institute of CPAs and claims the recipient is somehow involved in unlawful income tax refund activity. The AICPA has issued this warning advisory.
Do not open suspicious emails or respond to such texts. Never click on the links they contain or reply to the message. To confirm the authenticity of an email or text message check with that institution directly. Most will explain they would never solicit social security numbers or account information by email.
You can also report such scams to your Internet service provider or cell phone company. Check their web site for preferred reporting methods.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested Stephen A. Brewster, DOB 9/27/79, 7859 Holiday Drive, Sarasota, after a witness caught him breaking into a car early this morning.
As Brewster ran from the crime location, 5136 Camus Street, the victim called 9-1-1 and the witness followed him in his truck. Deputies spotted Brewster running east across Honore Avenue to the Target parking lot and took him into custody.
Brewster has been arrested 40 times, primarily for burglary, forgery and use of stolen credit cards. He was released from prison last year and was still on felony probation at the time of his arrest.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested David Skolnick, DOB 10/4/82, 1615 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, for several burglaries early Thursday morning.
A deputy stopped Skolnick at around 3:00 a.m., for riding his bicycle without a light. When asked for identification, Skolnick opened his wallet which revealed someone else’s driver’s license. Skolnick had another ID and credit cards that did not belong to him and items in his backpack that were not his. Deputies drove to Donnington Court where the victims lived and discovered three vehicle burglaries had occurred.
Skolnick, who has 26 prior arrests in Sarasota County, is charged with four counts of Burglary, two counts of Grand Theft, two counts of Petit Theft and one count of Possession of Burglary Tools. He is also charged with Violation of Probation for prior weapons charges.
Each of the burglarized vehicles was unlocked, so the Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to remove valuables from their vehicles and always lock the doors.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to identify the suspect who tried to rob the PakMail at 5824 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota last night just after 5:00 p.m.
The suspect entered the store, pointed a black handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk could not comply and the suspect fled on foot through the Center Gate Shopping Plaza.
While the suspect's features were not visible, the clerk confirmed it was a male about 6' 3" tall. Detectives hope someone can identify him by his silver motorcycle helmet or backpack which are visible in the attached photos.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Criminal Investigations at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477), or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com or via text message by texting TIP109 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).
