Your telephone rings. The caller identifies himself as a sheriff’s deputy and says there is a warrant for your arrest. He claims you missed jury duty, failed to appear in court, or owe a fine. Then he offers a way to avoid jail: send money immediately.
This is a recognized police impersonation scam. Sarasota residents have been targeted by callers using the names and ranks of actual sheriff’s office employees to make their threats sound legitimate. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has warned that its personnel will never demand payment or request personal financial information over the telephone.
How fake arrest-warrant scams work
The scam depends on fear and urgency. Someone claiming to hold law enforcement authority tells you that you face arrest, then pressures you to act before you can independently verify the story.
Common claims include:
- You missed jury duty.
- You failed to appear for a court hearing.
- You have an unpaid fine.
- Authorities intercepted a package containing illegal items with your name on it.
The requested payment may involve gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire transfer, or a payment app. The caller may describe the money as a fine or payment necessary to avoid arrest. The Federal Trade Commission warns that demands to pay your way out of an alleged crime are a hallmark of this scam.
A real officer’s name and an official-looking telephone number prove nothing
Scammers can manipulate caller ID so that a call appears to come from a police department. They may also know your address or use a real officer’s name.
Those details do not establish that the caller is a law enforcement officer. Independently verifying the caller through an agency’s official contact information is far more reliable than trusting the name or telephone number displayed on your screen.
What if they send you a copy of the warrant?
An official-looking document does not establish that a warrant is genuine.
In a June 2026 consumer alert, the FTC warned that jury-duty scammers send texts and emails containing documents that appear to be arrest warrants. These documents are intended to reinforce the caller’s threats and convince the recipient to pay.
Treat a document sent by an unsolicited caller as unverified. Do not use its payment instructions or contact information to decide whether the demand is legitimate.
What should you do if someone calls claiming you have an arrest warrant?
- End the call. Do not let a threat of immediate arrest pressure you into paying.
- Do not provide financial information. Do not send gift card numbers, cryptocurrency, or payments to the caller.
- Verify independently. Find the agency’s telephone number on its official website. Do not simply call back the number that contacted you.
- Preserve the evidence. Save voicemails, messages, documents, and payment instructions for your report.
- Report the incident. Sarasota County residents can contact the Sheriff’s Office’s nonemergency number at 941-316-1201. Scams can also be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If there is an immediate threat to your safety, call 911.
Is impersonating a police officer a crime in Florida?
Yes. Florida Statutes section 843.08 addresses falsely impersonating police officers, deputy sheriffs, and other specified officials.
The statute requires more than merely claiming a title: the person must also undertake to act in that capacity or require another person’s assistance in a matter related to the officer’s duties.
The basic offense is a third-degree felony. Impersonating an officer during the commission of a felony is a second-degree felony. If that felony results in another person’s death or personal injury, the offense becomes a first-degree felony. Which provision applies depends on the evidence and circumstances of the conduct.
What if you already paid the scammer?
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Explain that you were deceived and ask whether the transaction can be stopped, reversed, or refunded. If you paid with a gift card, contact the issuer and retain the card and receipt. For cryptocurrency payments, promptly contact the exchange or ATM operator.
Recovery is not guaranteed, but acting quickly gives you the best opportunity to seek assistance. If you disclosed account passwords, change them and enable two-factor authentication. If you disclosed your Social Security number, visit IdentityTheft.gov for guidance appropriate to your situation. The FTC also provides instructions on what to do if you were scammed.
What if you are concerned that a warrant might actually exist?
A suspicious payment demand and a genuine warrant concern should be addressed separately. Do not pay an unsolicited caller. If you have an existing criminal case, missed a hearing, or have another reason to believe a warrant may exist, seek independent verification and legal advice.
The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Haynes, P.A. can assist people concerned about an actual Florida criminal case or arrest warrant and explain the options available in their circumstances.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
