How do I spot a fake police or law enforcement call?
Fake police calls demand immediate payment of a fine or threaten arrest — real police do not collect fines by phone and do not demand cryptocurrency or gift cards.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Police impersonation scams typically threaten the target with arrest over an outstanding fine, missed jury duty, unpaid court fee, or involvement in a criminal investigation. The caller insists that you must pay a specific amount immediately to avoid being detained, sometimes offering to 'settle the matter quietly' without further legal involvement.
Payment is requested in ways that real law enforcement never uses: gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers to private accounts, or cash placed in an envelope. Real fines and court fees are paid through official government portals or by cheque payable to the court — not to a private individual's account or via an iTunes card.
Some variants combine police impersonation with warrant scams: the caller claims there is an active arrest warrant in your name and that you must pay to have it cleared. Genuine warrants are served in person by uniformed officers — they are not cleared by phone payment.
If you receive such a call, ask for the officer's badge number and the station name, then end the call and dial 999 (UK) or 911 (US) to verify. If the original number was genuine police, the police will know about it.
Common red flags
- Demands immediate phone payment of a fine in gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Threatens arrest unless payment is made in the next hour
- Offers to 'settle quietly' for a cash payment instead of formal process
- Caller ID shows a police station number but the request is non-standard
- Cannot or will not provide verifiable badge number and station address
- Claims a warrant exists for your arrest and can be resolved by phone
What to do now
- Hang up and call the police non-emergency line independently to verify
- Do not make any payment by phone regardless of the threat
- Report the scam call to Action Fraud (UK) or the FTC (US)
- Note the number, time, and content of the call as evidence
- Alert elderly relatives who may be more vulnerable to this threat
Frequently asked questions
Can police legitimately call me about a fine?
Police may call as part of investigations, but they do not collect fines by phone and do not demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. Any such demand is a scam.
What if I missed jury service?
Missing jury service results in a formal letter from the court, not an immediate phone call demanding payment. If you have missed a summons, contact the court directly through its official number.
What is a badge number check?
Any genuine police officer will give you their badge (warrant card) number and station. You can then call 101 (UK non-emergency) to verify that number is assigned to an active officer at that station.