Scammers Are Impersonating Local Law Enforcement

Scammers are faking caller ID and using real officer’s names to impersonate local law enforcement.

You may get a call from someone claiming they are a sheriff or deputy from your local police department. They claim they have confiscated a package with your name on it. They say the package is filled with money, illegal drugs, or weapons — and you will be arrested unless you pay a fine.  To avoid being arrested, they tell you to send cash, deposit money at a Bitcoin ATM, buy gift cards and give them the numbers, or send money over a payment app like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.

Even if the caller uses the name of a real officer, has a real number show up on caller ID, or has your personal information (like your address), that’s not a real officer calling. It is a scammer trying to steal your money. Here’s what to know:

• Real law enforcement officers will not call to say you are going to be arrested (or threaten to arrest you if you hang up).
• Real law enforcement officers will not call to insist that you pay fines by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, or a wire transfer service – and never as a way to buy your way out of a “crime.”

If you get a call like this, hang up. Do not call the number back. If you want to check it out, contact your local police department, but use a website or phone number you know is real. Then report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/scammers-are-impersonating-local-law-enforcement

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