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Jury Duty, Arrest, and Warrant Scams
If someone who claims to be a deputy or federal officer calls or emails you to say you're in trouble with the law, it's a scam.
These scams are designed to scare you into paying a fine for allegedly missing a court date. Usually, the scammers pose as cops and accuse you of skipping jury duty or failing to show up as a witness.
Once they get you worried there's a warrant being issued for your arrest, the scammers tell you the problem can be resolved if you pay a "fine" or " bond."
Arrest scams can seem real. Scammers may spoof, or fake, their Caller ID so it looks like the sheriff or a court is calling. Scammers might use the names of real officers or agents, so that when you google them you believe you're talking to a real officer. And sometimes, scammers will even email you fake "court" documents that support their phony story.
The truth is, real officers never call people because they missed court. They don't collect fines. And if they want to arrest someone, they never call first.
Protect Yourself
- Hang up if someone who claims to be a cop, deputy, or agent calls you to say you missed a court appearance or are about to be arrested.
- Never leave your home or workplace on a caller's instructions to go to court, jail, or another location. This is a ruse meant to draw you further into the scam.
- Never use the callback numbers provided to you in a suspicious call. Those numbers only lead to scammers. If you want to see if a deputy called, contact the Cuyahoga County Sheriff at 216-443-6000.
- Know that deputies and other law enforcement will never insist you stay on the phone for long periods. The also will never tell you to keep things secret. These are tricks to keep you from checking out their story.
- Never pay anyone as the result of an unexpected call claiming you're in trouble.
Arrest scams are just one kind of scam in which scammers pose as authorities to scare people into paying. Read about government imposter scams.
You can learn more information about jury duty directly from the Common Pleas Court.
Report suspicious calls to Scam Squad at 216-443-7226.