Platte County, Missouri – Platte County officials are warning residents about a phone scam impersonating law enforcement to demand immediate payment for fake warrants.
According to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are calling residents and falsely claiming there is an outstanding arrest warrant. Callers often demand immediate payment through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest, using fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly.
The Sheriff’s Office said the callers frequently manipulate caller ID to appear as a local police department, sheriff’s office, or court. In some cases, scammers may use the real names of officers or court employees to sound legitimate.
Officials emphasized that real law enforcement agencies do not call individuals to collect money for warrants and do not accept payments over the phone. Authorities also said legitimate officers will never demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or Bitcoin ATMs.
Residents are advised to hang up immediately if they receive such a call and not provide any personal, financial, or banking information. Anyone concerned about a legal matter should independently verify it by contacting the police department or court directly using a phone number listed on an official government website, not a number provided by the caller.
The Sheriff’s Office encouraged victims and attempted victims to report the scam to local law enforcement and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Residents are also urged to document details such as the phone number used, the name given by the caller, and the nature of the demand.
Officials noted that phone-based impersonation scams continue to target working adults and commuters who may feel pressured to resolve the issue quickly during the day.
Authorities say public awareness is key to preventing further losses and are urging residents to share the warning with family members, particularly older adults who are frequently targeted.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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