Have you ever received a call claiming you missed jury duty and face arrest if you don’t pay a fine immediately? Or maybe an email arrived demanding bail money for a relative you never knew existed? These are a few examples of scams that impersonate police and court systems to steal your money and personal information.

In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the different cons targeting people with threats from law enforcement.

The Phony Fine:

• The Scam: You receive a call (sometimes with a spoofed number that appears to be from a local court) claiming you missed jury duty or have outstanding warrants. The scammer, posing as a law enforcement officer, threatens arrest if you don’t pay a fine immediately, often via gift cards or prepaid cards (a red flag!). These methods are favored by scammers because the transactions are difficult to trace.
• The Truth: Legitimate courts will never demand immediate payment over the phone. They’ll send official notices by mail with clear instructions.

The Warrant Web:

• The Scam: You receive an email or phone call claiming a warrant is out for your arrest due to unpaid taxes, suspicious activity or other fabricated charges. They use scare tactics to pressure you into sending money or revealing personal details. The email may include fake badges, official-looking seals and real legal jargon to heighten fear.
• The Truth: Law enforcement won’t notify you of warrants via email or phone. If unsure about legal matters, contact a lawyer or the appropriate government agency directly.

The Bogus Bail Bond:

• The Scam: You receive a message about a friend or family member in jail, needing bail money urgently. The scammer pressures you to send funds immediately, often through insecure methods like gift cards, prepaid cards or money transfer services.
• The Truth: This one is personal! It’s important to know how the bail process works to avoid falling victim to this particular scam. First, jails are not the ones that will seek to set up bail for a detainee. Bail is set by a judge and processed by a bail bond company after speaking with a defendant’s co-signer. You can reach out to the local bail bond agency and provide your loved one’s name and the jail where they are supposedly being held to have them investigate the legitimacy of the request.

Five Ways to Protect Yourself from Legal Scams

1. Never give out personal or financial information over the phone or email unless you initiated the contact and are certain of the recipient. Verify communication. If you’re unsure about a call, hang up and look up the official phone number for the courthouse or police department. Contact them directly to confirm the information. Remember, the incoming number may be spoofed and seem legitimate. Don’t trust it!
2. Never send money or personal information over the phone or through email. Legitimate courts and law enforcement will never use these methods to collect fines or communicate with you.
3. Don’t be pressured into immediate action. Scammers demand immediate action, leaving you little time to verify their story. Real legal issues won’t disappear because you hesitate. Take time to verify information before responding.
4. Verify any claims of legal action through official channels. Your local law enforcement agency, a personal attorney and bail bond agencies are all resources you can use to determine if the situation is legitimate.
5. Help others avoid scams. Once you have identified the scam, you can report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission (https://www.ftc.gov/).

These scams rely on fear and urgency. They create a sense of crisis to cloud your judgment, making you more likely to act without thinking. Legitimate courts and law enforcement will not threaten you over the phone or demand immediate payment. By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself from these scams and avoid falling victim to these cunning criminals.