If a caller threatened arrest unless you pay, it is a scam.

What they say

“This is Deputy Morgan with the County Sheriff's Office. You missed a court summons and there is now a warrant for your arrest. To avoid being taken into custody today, you need to clear the bond by phone right now.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• A real deputy will never call to collect money for a warrant or take payment over the phone.
• Payment is demanded by gift card, wire, or crypto, and you are told to stay on the line.
• The threat is same-day arrest unless you act this minute, a manufactured urgency.

What they say

“Your Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity linked to your name in another state. To reactivate it and protect your benefits, confirm the last four digits for me now.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• A Social Security number is never suspended, frozen, or locked. It cannot happen.
• The SSA does not call to threaten you or to ask you to confirm your number.
• The caller invents a crime in another state to make you panic and verify.

What they say

“This is the IRS. Our records show unpaid back taxes and an enforcement action has been filed. Settle the balance today by prepaid card or a warrant will be issued for your arrest.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• The IRS initiates contact about a tax debt by mail, not a surprise threatening call.
• It never demands a specific payment method like gift cards or wire transfers.
• It never threatens to bring in police or have you arrested for not paying instantly.

What they say

“This is the court clerk's office. You were summoned for jury duty and failed to appear, so a bench warrant has been issued. You can clear it today by paying the fine over the phone.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• Courts notify you about jury duty by mail, and never collect fines by phone.
• No real clerk takes payment by gift card, app, or wire to "clear a warrant."
• The call leans on the fear of an embarrassing arrest to rush you.

What they say

“This is Officer Reyes with the city police department. Your name came up in an active investigation. We need you to verify your identity and post a refundable bond, and do not discuss this with anyone.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• The caller ID may show the real department, but caller ID can be spoofed (see below).
• Police do not phone people to demand bonds, payments, or secrecy.
• "Tell no one" is the tell: real investigations do not work this way.

What they say

“This is the Department of Social Services. We received a complaint about the safety of your child and have opened a case. You need to respond and verify information today, or we may have to remove the child from the home.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• Child Services does not resolve cases or take payments over the phone.
• It weaponizes the most frightening thing imaginable to override your judgment.
• It may pair with a "sheriff" call to feel coordinated and official.

What they say

“This is U.S. Immigration. A package or document tied to your name was flagged and there is a problem with your status. You must pay a processing fee immediately to avoid arrest and removal proceedings.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• USCIS and CBP do not call demanding payment to "fix" your status.
• Threats of immediate arrest or deportation by phone are a pressure tactic.
• It often targets people it assumes will be too afraid to verify.