Jacksonville man warns others about ‘cash giveaway' phone calls

A Jacksonville man believes he's being scammed by a caller saying he's won a cash giveaway.

Marcus Paul has gotten two calls just this week, both from local numbers.

“This message is for Marcus. This message is in regard to an entry form that was entered in the cash giveaway. They pulled your name last night. I need for you to call Mark Young,” one voicemail said.

Even though the caller knew his name, Paul said he’s skeptical.

“I believe it’s bogus,” said Paul. “It’s a scam and, if he’s doing it to me, then he’s doing it to a lot of other people.”

Action News Jax called the first number, 904-584-4076, which is out of St. Augustine. The call went to voicemail.

A recorded message said, “Hello, you’ve just reached Gift Recovery.”

Action News Jax left a voicemail asking for the caller’s side of the story.

An online search of that number showed more than a dozen similar complaints about a bogus cash giveaway drawing.

Action News Jax called the second number, 904-670-9081. A recorded message said the number was “not valid.”

“There are a lot of susceptible people out there and this type of thing should stop,” said Paul.

Action News Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said it’s worth filing a report with your local law enforcement agency because there are vulnerable people who regularly fall for phone scams.

Cox Media Group