High riskGovernment & Tax

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

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Law-enforcement impersonation
Main red flag
A 'police' call threatening arrest unless you pay or share details immediately.
What to do first
Hang up and call the police on an official number to verify; real police do not demand payment by phone.

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.

Government and tax scams impersonate tax authorities, police, or agencies, using threats of arrest, fines, or deportation to force fast payment, often via gift cards, transfers, or crypto. Real agencies do not demand instant payment this way or threaten arrest by phone.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A 'police' call threatening arrest unless you pay or share details immediately. Hang up and call the police on an official number to verify; real police do not demand payment by phone.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Fake Court Fine Scam or the IRS Tax Scam, browse the Government, Tax & Legal Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$2.7B
reported lost to imposter scams in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Gift cards
a top payment method scammers demand, which real agencies never use
Source: FTC Consumer Advice

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'This is Officer [name]. There is a warrant for your arrest linked to fraud. Pay a bond now by transfer or gift card to avoid being detained today.'

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.

Why this is a red flag: A 'police' call threatening arrest unless you pay or share details immediately.

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

High risk Government & Tax

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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Government & Tax

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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Government & Tax

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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Do police demand payment by phone?
No. Genuine police do not call demanding immediate payment by transfer, gift card, or crypto to avoid arrest. Such calls are scams.
The caller ID showed a police number. Is it real?
Caller ID can be spoofed to look official. Hang up and call the police back on an official number to verify any claim.
I paid out of fear. What now?
Contact your bank immediately to try to stop the payment, keep evidence, and report it to the police and your fraud authority.
How do real authorities contact me?
Through official channels and proper procedures, not urgent phone threats demanding secret, immediate payment by unusual methods.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.