Receiving a phone call from an unknown number can certainly catch you by surprise—especially when the person on the other end claims to be with law enforcement. If that weren’t concerning enough, many Americans are finding the officers are calling them to say they are about to get arrested! Due to the influx of these alarming phone calls, officials around the country are now warning people to watch out for this type of fraud. Keep reading to learn more about the sheriff scam call and how to avoid falling for it.
What is the sheriff scam call?
In this recently revived scam, bad actors are impersonating law enforcement and targeting innocent citizens. This takes place in the form of a phone call in which the scammers pretend to be local sheriffs or police officers who are tracking down people in violation of the law. (In some cases there have been reports of AI being used to mimic the voices of real officers in order to make the call seem even more legitimate.)
The catch: Those on the receiving end of these fake calls are not actually in any sort of legal trouble. Scammers are only making people believe they are at risk of being taken into custody in an attempt to extort money from them.
How scammers trick victims with fake warrants
There are different variations of this scam currently being reported, but the process is generally the same. The targeted victim receives a call from someone claiming to be with law enforcement, who then informs the person that there is a warrant out for their arrest. The scammer will usually say the warrant is for missing a court appearance such as jury duty.
It’s also not uncommon for the supposed official to provide a fake badge number and violation code, according to a Fox 23 Now article. This is done to help the scammer earn the person’s trust.
Next, the alleged sheriff will say that a fine must be paid in order to avoid arrest. This payment is required immediately to resolve the issue of the outstanding warrant.
While some scammers will move onto targeting another person if the first does not answer the phone, it seems many of the bad actors in the sheriff scam call are persistent. As shared in a WCNC.com story, one resident reported finding the alarming message in their voicemail.
“The two things that really stood out to me as red flags were that he kept saying ‘we know you’re not a criminal’ and the fact that when I said I could just come down to the sheriff’s department right now, he said I would be ‘at the mercy of the court,’” the person reported.
What to do if you receive a sheriff scam call
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a police officer who is also asking for money in regards to a warrant, it’s a scam. Anyone on the receiving end of these calls is advised to hang up immediately. (If you receive a voicemail, ignore the message and don’t call the provided number.)
Scammers will usually create a sense of urgency so potential victims act quickly before they realize they’re being duped. By the time someone figures this out, the criminal has already received the money or gained access to the person’s bank account.
Should this happen to you, it’s best to contact your local law enforcement and report the issue. You will also need to reach out to your bank or credit card company to get the situation resolved.
Tips to stay safe from the phone fraud
Many law enforcement agencies around the country have shared some of the red flags to watch for in order to avoid becoming a victim. You can expect that a real sheriff will never do any of the following:
- Order you to pay a fine
- Ask for your financial information
- Alert you via the phone about a warrant in your name
Any of these situations are a clear sign that someone is impersonating an officer to get access to your money or information.
For any questions about the scam happening in your area, it’s recommended that you contact the non-emergency number of the police department. If the department has a Facebook page, it’s also a great way to share any concerns you may have.
