Code enforcement officials said their officers are removing the signs when they find them, but there are a lot of them.
The signs mention things that are illegal or obscene and have phone numbers listed. They are often written on the backs of legitimate signs placed along streets and roads.
One sign promotes hourly jobs in the porn industry. Several of the signs offer cheap heroin or illegal pills Another sign was about a pedophile support group.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Photos: Prank signs
Channel 9's Steve Barrett called one of the numbers listed on a sign. The call was answered by Realtor Josh Swanson, who said he uses his phone number for legal and legitimate reasons – to sell homes.
Swanson said he received an unusual call Monday night.
"I got called. They were like, 'I want to get the pills. I want to get the pills.' I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' I'm like, 'My signs are about selling a house.' They're like, 'No, no, no. I'm looking at the sign about the pills, no prescription needed,'" Swanson said.
County officials said they haven't noticed a trend of prank signs popping up.
"I get another call saying 'Hey, man, you got the Viagra?' I'm like, 'No, I don't have the Viagra. I don't know what you're talking about,'" Swanson said.
Authorities said the signs are illegally placed, but warned that many of the legitimate signs were illegally placed as well.
County officials said they don't regulate sign content, so there wouldn't be charges filed by the county.
Channel 9 learned that if those planting the signs can be identified, they could be subject to civil actions by the affected businesses.
Several of the businesses whose numbers appeared on the signs said they have filed reports with the sheriff's office.
WFTV
