Police Impersonation Scam
In this scam, callers pose as police or law enforcement, claim you are linked to a crime or have a warrant, and demand immediate payment or personal details to 'clear your name' or avoid arrest.
Quick verdict
What this scam usually looks like
In this scam, callers pose as police or law enforcement, claim you are linked to a crime or have a warrant, and demand immediate payment or personal details to 'clear your name' or avoid arrest.
Example message pattern
This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.
Red flags to watch for
- Threats of immediate arrest or legal action
- Demands for payment by transfer, gift card, or crypto
- Pressure to stay on the line and keep it secret
- Caller ID that appears to show a police number
- Requests for personal or banking details
What to do
- Hang up and call the police on an official number to verify
- Never pay or share details under threat over the phone
- Talk to someone you trust before acting
- Report the call to the police and your fraud authority
If you already clicked or replied
- If you paid, contact your bank immediately to try to stop it
- Keep call details and any references as evidence
- Report it to the police and fraud authority
- Be alert to follow-up calls continuing the scam
What not to do
- Do not pay 'bonds' or 'fines' by phone on demand
- Do not share banking or personal details
- Do not let threats and secrecy pressure you
Similar scams
Fake Court Fine Scam
In this scam, a call, email, text, or letter claims you have an unpaid court fine, parking penalty, or speeding fine, and demands immediate payment to avoid arrest or extra charges. The contact often uses official-sounding language, threats, and unusual payment methods such as gift cards, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency. Real courts and enforcement bodies follow formal processes and do not threaten instant arrest over the phone. Pausing to verify any fine through official channels is the safest response.
IRS Tax Scam
This scam uses a call, voicemail, text, or email pretending to be the IRS or another tax agency, claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest, lawsuit, or deportation unless you pay at once by gift card, wire, or crypto.
Jury Duty Scam
This scam involves a call, voicemail, or text claiming you missed jury duty and now face a fine or arrest unless you pay immediately, often by gift card or prepaid card. The caller uses fear and urgency to push you into paying before you can check.
Frequently asked questions
Do police demand payment by phone?
The caller ID showed a police number. Is it real?
I paid out of fear. What now?
How do real authorities contact me?
Last reviewed: June 2026