Fake Arrest Warrants
Last updated September 18, 2026
The short answer
Someone calling, texting, or emailing you claims to be from law enforcement (police, the FBI, U.S. Marshals, or a court) and says there's a warrant for your arrest. They offer to "clear it up" if you pay immediately. Real law enforcement does not call to collect payment on warrants.
How it works
- 1
You get an alarming call or message
Someone says they're a police officer, federal agent, or court official. The caller ID may show a legitimate law enforcement number (spoofed). They know your name and possibly your address.
- 2
They describe a serious legal situation
"You missed jury duty and a bench warrant has been issued." "Your Social Security number was used in money laundering." "You have unpaid federal fines." The charge sounds serious enough to scare you.
- 3
They offer a way out, for a price
Instead of being arrested, you can resolve it right now by paying a fine. They direct you to buy gift cards, send a wire transfer, or pay in crypto. They may stay on the phone while you go to the store.
- 4
They keep you isolated
They tell you not to talk to anyone, not to hang up, and not to call anyone else. They know that if you take a moment to think or ask someone, you'll realize it's a scam.
Warning signs
- A "police officer" or "federal agent" calls demanding immediate payment
- They say you can pay a fine to avoid arrest (real warrants don't work that way)
- They want payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto
- They tell you to stay on the phone and not talk to anyone
- They threaten to send officers to arrest you if you don't pay right now
- The caller ID shows a law enforcement number (scammers can fake this)
What it looks like
"The U.S. Marshals are coming to your house"
A caller says they're from the U.S. Marshals Service and you missed a federal court date. A warrant has been issued. They can "postpone the arrest" if you pay $2,500 in gift cards immediately. They stay on the phone while you drive to Target.
"Your Social Security number was used in a drug trafficking case"
A robocall says your SSN was linked to drug trafficking. Press 1 to speak with an agent. The "agent" says you need to wire $5,000 to a "federal clearing account" to prove you're not involved. The account belongs to the scammer.
"Pay this fine or we suspend your driver's license"
A text claims to be from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. You have unpaid traffic fines and your license will be suspended unless you pay online within 48 hours. The link goes to a fake DMV page that captures your personal info and payment.
What to do
- Hang up immediately. You will not be arrested for hanging up.
- Do not call back the number they gave you.
- Call your local police department's non-emergency number to verify if any warrant actually exists.
- If they claimed to be federal (FBI, U.S. Marshals), call that agency's local office directly from their website.
- Report the call to the FTC and your local police.
- Tell friends and family about these calls so they're prepared.
Who gets targeted
These scams target everyone but disproportionately affect older adults and immigrants, people who may be more fearful of law enforcement or less aware of how the legal system actually works.
Being scared of arrest is a normal human reaction. Scammers weaponize that fear. Real law enforcement serves warrants in person. They don't call to collect money.
By the numbers
- $798 million lost to government impersonation in 2025
- FBI IC3, 2026
- 32,424 government impersonation reports in 2025, against 14,190 in 2023
- FBI IC3, 2026
- People 60 and over lost $413 million of that $798 million
- FBI IC3, 2026
Companies used in fake arrest warrants
These are the brands scammers hide behind in this scam. Each guide covers what that company will never ask you for, and how to report it to them directly.