Elderly targeted in utility payment scam

SWEETWATER, Fla. – Scam artists are targeting the elderly and telling them their utilities will be shut off if they don't pay hundreds of dollars to the caller using a money card.

Police say a man, identifying himself as Carlo Juarez, called a 76-year-old Sweetwater resident and told her that her electricity bill was late and the power would be shut off unless she bought a $200 money card. The woman was then told to give the man the card number.

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The caller emptied the card. When the woman called Florida Power & Light, she was told she was the victim of fraud.

Customers are advised to call police if they believe they were the victim of fraud.