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| Phone scam run by some Hillsborough County Jail inmates |
| By Bay News 9 |
| Published: 03/08/2004 |
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Authorities say some Hillsborough County (Fla.) Jail inmates are using telephone privileges to run scams on unsuspecting people. The sheriff's office says the inmates make random collect phone calls until someone accepts the charges. The inmates then ask the person to connect them to a third party using star 72. Once the person does that, he's charged with the entire call even if he hangs up. So, the sheriff's office has installed a new recording warning people before they accept any charges. Falkenberg Road Jail Commander Major Robert Lucas says the inmates play on their victim's sympathy. "The law of averages dictates that if I make enough calls, I'm finally going to get someone who's compassionate or curious. They're going to accept the call and that's when the hook is set," he said. Because of the scam, the sheriff's office has added this warning to all inmates' outgoing calls: "If you accept this call or forward it to a third party, you will be responsible for all charges." Major Lucas says it's impossible to track all phone calls originating from the jail, so he can't find out who's making the calls. He hopes people listen to the recording before accepting any charges. |
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