Citrus County Sheriff's Office Online Citizen Reporting System - Identity Theft and Fraud

Using this online citizen police report system allows you to submit a report immediately and print a copy of the police report for free. 

If "Yes" please stop and dial 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.

If "Yes" please stop and call our non-emergency number to file a report with a deputy. (352) 249-2790

Please enter your information as completely as possible. You may be contacted regarding this incident. An email address is required if you would like to be notified when this report is received. You will be contacted via the email address if your report is rejected or needs more information.

Please enter all the information that applies. If you do not know the address of the incident, enter "Unknown".

Fraud Report Guidance

When completing your narrative, please include all pertinent information related to the crime. The more detail you provide, the faster and more effectively the investigation can move forward.

Examples of useful information include (but are not limited to):

• Your Information:
  • Any personal information you provided to the scammer.

• Incident Details:
  • Date(s) and time(s) of contact and transactions.
  • Description of how you were contacted (email, text, social media, investment site, app, etc.).
  • Location(s) where the fraudulent transaction(s) occurred.
  • Detailed narrative of what happened.

• Transaction Details
  • Date(s) and time(s) of each transaction
  • Total amount lost (both the exact dollar amount and, if applicable, the cryptocurrency value at the time)
  • Method of payment (credit card, debit card, bank transfer, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, payment app, etc.)
    • Include your account username and the suspect’s account information you sent money to
  • Currency type (USD, BTC, ETH, etc.)

• Banking or Card Information (only what relates to the scam)
  • Last 4 digits of the credit/debit card used
  • Bank account name and account number involved in the transfer (last 4 digits are usually enough)
  • Name of the bank or financial institution that processed the payment
  • Wire transfer details (receiving bank name, routing/ABA number, SWIFT code, and account number if available)

• Cryptocurrency Information (if applicable)
  • Your wallet address used to send funds
  • The scammer’s wallet address(es)
  • Transaction IDs (TXIDs) from the blockchain
  • The exchange or wallet service you used (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.)
  • Your account details on the sending platform (username/email tied to account).
  • Screenshots or confirmations of the transfer

• Payment App or Service Information (if used)
  • App/service name (PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, etc.)
  • Your account username/email tied to the service
  • Recipient’s username, handle, phone number, or email used in the transaction
  • Transaction ID/confirmation number from the app

• Suspect Information (if available):
  • Names, aliases, or company names provided.
  • Phone numbers, email addresses, websites, or social media profiles used.
  • IP addresses, if logged.

Providing the above information will assist the Investigator in expediting the legal process.

⚠️ Important Note: Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, and recovery is rare. However, providing detailed evidence increases the chances of law enforcement tracing the funds or linking them to known scam networks.

Document Submission:

You may also upload supporting materials using the link provided.

• Copies of bank or credit card statements showing the fraudulent charge(s)

• Receipts, invoices, or payment confirmations tied to the scam

• Emails, texts, or messages confirming payment instructions

• Screenshots of all communications.

Further Steps to Protect Your Information

If you have been a victim of fraud, it is important to take additional steps to secure your personal and financial information:

• Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Company
  • Notify them of the incident immediately.
  • Provide your case or tracking/report number if one has been assigned.
  • Request that they monitor or freeze your accounts if necessary.
  • Ask about replacing your debit/credit cards and resetting online banking credentials.

• Contact the Three Major Credit Bureaus
  • Notify them of the fraud and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts.
  • Experian – www.experian.com | 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion – www.transunion.com | 1-800-680-7289
  • Equifax – www.equifax.com | 1-800-525-6285

• Social Security Administration (SSA)
  • If you provided your Social Security number, contact the SSA to report potential misuse.
  • Consider requesting a replacement SSN card if necessary.

• Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • File a fraud report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If the fraud involves identity theft, also file a report at IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps and documentation.

• Report to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  • If the fraud occurred online (through websites, apps, or email), submit a report at IC3.gov.

• Change Passwords and Secure Accounts
  • Update passwords for online banking, email, and any accounts tied to the fraud.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

• Monitor Your Credit and Accounts
  • Regularly review your bank statements, credit reports, and online accounts for suspicious activity.
  • You can request a free annual credit report from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of a Cryptocurrency Scam

• Stop All Transactions Immediately
  • Do not send any additional funds, even if the scammer promises a refund or “unlock fee.”

• Collect and Save Evidence
  • Take screenshots of conversations, websites, emails, and any instructions you received.
  • Save transaction confirmations, wallet addresses, and blockchain transaction IDs (TXIDs).
  • Keep records of the platform, app, or exchange used to send funds.

• Notify the Cryptocurrency Exchange or Platform
  • If you sent funds through an exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.), immediately notify their fraud department.
  • Some platforms may freeze suspect accounts if contacted quickly.

• Report to the Wallet/Hosting Service
  • If the scammer used a wallet service (e.g., Blockchain.com, Trust Wallet), file a fraud complaint with them.

• Strengthen Security
  • Change passwords on email, crypto exchange accounts, and wallets.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
  • Beware of follow-up scams offering “recovery services.”

• Monitor Your Identity and Finances
  • Check credit reports and bank accounts for unusual activity.
  • Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with credit bureaus if you shared personal details.