09/03/2026
Scammers are pretending to be police officers, sheriffs, federal agents, and other law-enforcement officials to intimidate people into sending money or sharing personal information.
Common red flags include:
Threats of arrest, fines, or immediate legal action
Demands for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or other unusual methods
Requests for passwords, Social Security numbers, or banking information
Caller ID or official-looking information that appears legitimate
Pressure to act immediately and keep the conversation secret
Remember: A legitimate law-enforcement agency will not demand payment over the phone to make an arrest warrant or criminal case disappear.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up. Do not use a phone number the caller provides. Instead, independently find the agency’s official contact information and call to verify.
If you’ve already sent money or shared sensitive information, contact your financial institution promptly.
You can also utilize https://www.ic3.gov/ to report cyber crimes.