PanicStation.org
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us Legal, police, prison & official contact police impersonation scam • court impersonation scam • fake warrant phone call • “pay now” arrest threat • jury duty fine scam • spoofed caller id • gift card payment demand • bitcoin atm payment demand • crypto payment demand • wire transfer demand • payment app demand • “stay on the phone” scam • urgent payment pressure • fake badge number • missed court scam • fake court clerk call • “avoid arrest” phone scam

What to do if…
you receive a call claiming to be from police or a court demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest

Short answer

Hang up and do not pay. Then verify by contacting the real police department or court using an official number you look up yourself.

Do not do these things

  • Do not pay by gift card, cryptocurrency/Bitcoin ATM, wire transfer, cash deposit, or any link sent during the call.
  • Do not share personal info (SSN, date of birth, address), banking details, passwords, or one-time verification codes.
  • Do not trust caller ID, a “badge number”, or a “case number” as proof (caller ID can be spoofed).
  • Do not stay on the phone while you “go to the bank” or “buy cards” — that is a common control tactic.
  • Do not open emailed/texted “court documents” or download attachments from the caller.
  • Do not call back the number the caller gives you.

What to do now

  1. End the call. Say: “I’m going to verify this through official channels.” Hang up.
  2. Create a short buffer so urgency doesn’t win. Write: “No payment until verified.” Keep it in front of you while you take the next steps.
  3. Verify independently using an official contact you choose (not the caller):
    • If they claimed local police/sheriff: use the department’s official website (often a city/county .gov site) to find the non-emergency number and ask if there’s any legitimate matter connected to your name.
    • If they claimed a court/jury duty issue: call the clerk of court using the official court website number and ask how real notices are delivered and whether you have any active case, warrant, or fine.
    • If you believe you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
  4. Preserve details without engaging further: time/date, number shown, the agency/court they claimed, payment method demanded, names used, and any voicemails/texts/emails (screenshots).
  5. If you paid or gave financial/account info, treat it as urgent:
    • Call your bank/credit card issuer using the number on your card or inside your banking app; ask about stopping transfers, disputing charges, and adding protections.
    • If you shared passwords or codes, change passwords immediately (start with email and banking) and turn on multi-factor authentication.
  6. Report it (pick at least one):
    • Report to the FTC as a law enforcement/court impersonation scam.
    • File a report with the FBI’s IC3 if money was sent or if the scam used online payment methods, crypto, or detailed digital traces.

What can wait

  • You do not need to “prove” anything to the caller, send documents immediately, or keep talking to “clear it up”.
  • You do not need to post about it publicly or confront the scammer.
  • You do not need to decide today whether to change your phone number; focus first on verification, account safety, and reporting.

Important reassurance

These scams are built to sound official and to trigger panic with threats of arrest. Hanging up and verifying through official numbers is the safe, correct move — and real agencies won’t demand immediate payment by gift card, crypto, or wire transfer over a surprise call.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to prevent immediate loss and buy time. If you later discover there is a real legal issue, deal with it through verified court/police contacts and consider qualified legal help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you believe you are in immediate danger, call 911.

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