Polk County Sheriff's Office Phone Scam Warning

Polk County -- The Polk County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a phone scam where callers impersonate deputies and demand

payment to avoid arrest for supposedly outstanding warrants.

Beware of warrant-for-arrest scam calls, a type of phone fraud in which scammers pretend to be law enforcement to coerce people into paying money. These scammers may falsely claim that the victim has a warrant for a minor infraction, like a traffic violation or missed jury duty, and threaten to arrest them if they don't immediately pay a fee. They may even provide instructions on how to submit payment, such as meeting at a suspicious location with cash.

"Sheriff Timothy Wright warns that no legitimate law enforcement officer will ever demand payment over the phone to take care of a warrant.”

• A number may mimic a local government agency.
• Fake warrant documents may be emailed.
• You will never receive a phone call informing you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest and that you must pay money to avoid arrest. Those matters are handled through paper documentation, usually served in person by a uniformed deputy or officer.
• Never, ever agree to meet someone at a strange address, especially someone who calls and demands cash payment.
• You can also ask the caller for specific information, such as the warrant number, county, and charge. If the warrant is legitimate, this information should be easy to find on the warrant itself.

You can call your local law enforcement's non-emergency line to report the call.

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