Warrant Scam Calls Prompt Warning From Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement is warning residents about an ongoing warrant scam in which callers impersonate officers and attempt to pressure victims into paying money to avoid arrest.

In these scams, callers often use publicly available information to sound legitimate and may claim there is an active warrant or urgent legal issue. Some scammers also rely on caller ID spoofing, a tactic that makes it appear the call is from a legitimate law enforcement phone number.

Authorities stress that these calls are fraudulent. Law enforcement officers do not contact individuals by phone to demand payment, request gift cards, or collect fines to prevent an arrest. Any request for immediate payment over the phone is a clear sign of a scam.

Residents who receive such a call are urged to hang up immediately and not provide any personal or financial information. Those who are unsure of a call's legitimacy are encouraged to independently verify it by contacting the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 941-747-3011, extension 2260.

Officials continue to remind the public that awareness is one of the most effective tools in preventing fraud and encourage residents to share this warning with friends, family members, and neighbors, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to scam attempts

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