Arrest warrant scams

The Morganton Department of Public Safety has received multiple complaints about arrest warrant scams that are occurring in the area.

The scammers identify themselves as a member of law enforcement either local or federal agencies and demand payment in the form of various gift cards and pre-paid to avoid being arrested on a warrant.

 Law Enforcement will never call you to inform you about a warrant and demand payment of any kind. If you have a real warrant officers will come knock on your door. Law Enforcement will never demand money, gift cards, money transfers, or crypto currency for payment of warrants.

Here are a few tips to avoid becoming a victim of scams:

  • Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers manipulate caller ID to look like the call is coming from an official government number. Look up the agency’s number yourself, if you’re concerned, and give them a call. But don’t use the number in caller ID.
  • Government agencies won’t call, text, or email you out of the blue to demand payment right away.
  • Nobody legit will ever tell you to pay with gift cards, money transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  • Never share personal information with anyone who contacts you. If you’re worried, look up the government agency’s information yourself to check with them.

 

Please contact Morganton Department of Public Safety to file a report and also file reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and https://www.ic3.gov/.  These additional reports assist Federal Authorities in stopping scammers. Please provide as much of the following information as you can:

• The date and time of the call

• The person and agency name the scammer used

• What they wanted you to do, pay, or share, including amounts

• The phone number that showed up on your caller ID. Even a fake number can help law enforcement track the scammer.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Morganton Department of Public Safety to speak with an officer at 828-437-1211.

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