The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about scammers actively attempting to defraud innocent individuals by posing as law enforcement officers. These fraudulent callers claim that there are federal warrants out for your arrest and demand immediate payment to avoid legal consequences.

This is a scam.

If you receive such a call, remain calm. Never give out your personal or financial information.  Ask the caller for their badge number, name, and the agency they represent. Then hang up.  Look up the number of the agency yourself to verify that an officer is trying to make contact with you.

Law enforcement will never ask you to pay fines or fees over the phone using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If anyone insists on immediate payment, it’s a scam.

Genuine law enforcement officers will follow proper legal procedures and will not threaten or coerce you over the phone. If you encounter such a call, report it to your local police department or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)