New Jersey social media influencer helps expose sophisticated arrest warrant scam
Scammers call people claiming to be law enforcement with a fake arrest warrant. They pressure victims to pay money immediately to avoid arrest.
How it works
Scammers call victims and impersonate police or sheriff's office staff. They claim there is an active arrest warrant and demand immediate payment over the phone or through wire transfer to resolve the issue. The caller uses official-sounding language and may reference real agency names to sound credible.
Red flags to watch for
- Caller claims you have an arrest warrant and must pay now
- They demand payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cash
- Caller blocks their number or uses spoofed local area code
- They refuse to let you hang up or call the agency back
- They threaten arrest or jail time if you do not comply
What to do
Do not pay anyone who calls claiming you have a warrant. Hang up immediately and call the local sheriff's office or police department directly using the number on their official website. Law enforcement does not demand payment over the phone for warrants. If you are unsure, visit the agency's office in person or ask a trusted person to help you verify the claim.
If this reached you
Source: ABC7 New York . Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.