Someone claiming to be a deputy, detective or federal agent says you're about to be arrested unless you pay. Here's how to tell it's fake — and what to do.
A caller says they're a deputy, a detective or a federal agent. There's a warrant out for you, or your name came up in a crime, and you'll be arrested today unless you pay. It's one of the most expensive scams going. On September 17, 2026, the FBI said its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received nearly 61,000 complaints about people impersonating law enforcement or government officials between January 2025 and July 2026, with losses of more than $1.6 billion. Accusing the victim of a crime is the most common version: the FBI says those make up the majority of the complaints. (FBI IC3)
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Check it with ShieldrThe FBI says these scams mostly start with an unexpected phone call, though texts and emails are used too. The caller accuses you of wrongdoing and threatens arrest, prosecution or jail unless you pay to “remove the charges” or help them catch the “real” criminals. (FBI IC3) The FTC describes a local version where a “sheriff” or “deputy” says a package was seized in your name with money, drugs or weapons inside, and you'll be arrested unless you pay a fine. (FTC)
Once you're on the phone, the pressure builds. The FBI says these callers use urgent, aggressive tones, refuse to speak to anyone but you, keep you on the line for the whole scam and tell you not to tell family, friends, your bank or the police. They may use real agency phone numbers, real officers' names and fake credentials, and some now use AI to appear as officials on video calls. (FBI IC3)
If the story is that you missed jury duty or a court date, see our guide to the “you missed jury duty” scam, which covers that version in detail.
Police don't call or text to collect money. The FBI says law enforcement and government authorities “will never contact members of the public by telephone or text message to demand any form of payment or to request personal or sensitive information,” and that “law enforcement and government officials will never request payment via prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, or courier.” (FBI IC3) The FTC agrees: “Real law enforcement officers won't call to say you're going to be arrested (or threaten to arrest you if you hang up).” (FTC)
When you file at ic3.gov, the FBI asks for the scammers' phone numbers and emails, payment details such as bank accounts or crypto addresses, and copies of texts or emails. Keep your screenshots, receipts and call log. (FBI IC3)
Share the text, email or voicemail to Shieldr and get a plain-English verdict — safe, suspicious or scam — with the reasons it spotted. Voicemails are transcribed first. It's one more check before you call back or pay, not a guarantee.
Get Shieldr on the App StoreNot to collect money. The FBI says law enforcement will never call or text to demand any form of payment, and the FTC says real officers won't call to say you're going to be arrested. Hang up and call your local police using a number you look up yourself.
Not necessarily. The FBI says scammers often spoof real agency phone numbers, and the FTC says caller ID can be faked. Call the department back on a number from its official website.
File a complaint at ic3.gov and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and tell your local police. If it came by text, forward the message to 7726.
Related: the “you missed jury duty” scam, the court-summons version of this call; the AI voice clone scam, where the fake arrest is pinned on a relative; and how to help a parent avoid phone scams.