The Flagler Beach Police Department is providing this awareness announcement in an effort to warn and alert citizens in our community that there is a telephone “scam” currently taking place in the area.

The scams involves a phone call from an individual representing themselves as an employee from Florida Power Light (FPL). In the only reported case in Flagler Beach the business owner was skeptical of the call and refused to provide any information. The caller advised that the business failed to pay the previous month’s electric bill and that a payment needed to be made immediately.

Florida Power & Light is aware of the current “scam” and their website posted the following information; “Phone scammers posing as FPL employees are targeting customers across our 35 county service territory. These scammers are using false phone numbers that could appear on a caller ID to be FPL. They then threaten to shut the power off unless a payment is made immediately with a Green Dot Money-Pak card. These calls are not from FPL. We will never call and demand credit card information or take Green Dot Money-Pak cards as payment. In fact, we do not ask for any personal information from you unless you initiate the contact. If you ever receive a strange call and are in doubt, hang up and call us at the phone number list ed at t he bot tom of y our FP L bill.”

Citizens in our community should stay vigilant and maintain a healthy skepticism should they receive any telephone calls of this nature. If you receive a call of this nature and are unsure if it’s legitimate, becautious and contact your local Law Enforcement agency for assistance.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Captain Doughney or any member of the Flagler Beach Police Department.

Additional on-line information on FPL “Scams, Fraud & Imposters” can be located at; https://www.fpl.com/landing/protect.html. The toll free phone number to report any FPL scam is 1-800-226-3545.

The Flagler Beach Police Department is providing this information in an effort to educate our citizens and visitors on Florida State Statute 316.126; better known as the “Move Over Law”. increasing awareness and compliance with this Statute will assist with our goal to make the City of Flagler Beach a safer place to live, work and visit.

o On a two (2) lane roadway (such as SRA1A), you’re required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.

o If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five (5) miles per hour.

o If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction (such as SR100), and you approach an Emergency or Law Enforcement vehicle parked along the roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you’re not able to move over safely, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit; unless directed otherwise by a Law Enforcement Officer.

o Violating the “Move Over Law” puts lives in jeopardy. These lives include Law Enforcement Officers, Sanitation and Utility workers, other motorists, pedestrians and even your own life. Effective July 1, 2014, the Statute was changed to include sanitation vehicles and utility service vehicles.

o Violating the “Move Over Law” in Flagler County can result in a $136.00 fine and three (3) points on your Driver’s License.

Florida State Statue 316.126 in its entirety can be located via computer at; http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.126.html If you have any questions about the information in this announcement, please feel free to contact Captain Doughney or any member of the Flagler Beach Police Department.