Charlotte, NC – Residents across western North Carolina are being warned about a scam in which criminals impersonate U.S. Marshals and threaten arrest unless immediate payment is made.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Western District of North Carolina, scammers are sending official-looking letters, emails, and phone calls claiming victims have active arrest warrants. The imposters then demand payment through prepaid debit cards or gift cards to supposedly resolve the matter.
Officials say the documents may appear legitimate and often include the names of real judges, law enforcement officers, and courthouse addresses. In many cases, victims are told they must act quickly to avoid being taken into custody.
The scam has been reported across multiple communities in western North Carolina, including the Charlotte metro area, Mecklenburg County, and surrounding counties.
The U.S. Marshals Service emphasized that federal law enforcement will never request payment to clear a warrant — especially not through prepaid cards, wire transfers, or gift cards.
“If you receive a message demanding money and claiming to be from the U.S. Marshals, it is a scam,” officials said.
Residents who receive suspicious correspondence are urged to verify court-related claims directly by calling the Clerk of Court’s Office for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Victims or potential targets should also report incidents to their local FBI office and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which tracks fraud patterns nationwide.
Authorities say reporting these incidents helps investigators identify trends and prevent others from being targeted.
Anyone seeking official court contact information can visit ncwd.uscourts.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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