Recently, police have noted a rise in phone and email fraud, with scammers making alarming threats that supposedly can only be resolved by sending them money.

Law enforcement emphasizes that legitimate government transactions do not occur through Bitcoin machines, in-store kiosks, or Apple Music gift cards.

For instance, a recent case involved a victim receiving a call from someone impersonating a law enforcement officer. They left a voicemail indicating it was urgent to contact a specific police captain regarding court issues.

The victim later received a call stating that there was a warrant out for their arrest linked to a supposed “failure to appear,” and the only way to avoid jail was to pay a $2,000 fine in cash. The scammers instructed them to visit CVS, Walgreens, or Office Max to make the payment using a money pack or through a Green Dot kiosk.

This scam was uncovered when the victim’s family reached out to the police station using a different phone. Meanwhile, the victim was still on the line with the scammer.

Upon confirming with the police department, they learned that the named captain had recently been promoted, and it was clear the call was fraudulent. When the victim confronted the caller about the promotion, the scammer hesitated and eventually hung up.

Authorities advise anyone getting a call regarding vague criminal charges to simply hang up. Here are some additional tips:

• If you receive emails or texts from someone purporting to be a government agency requesting money or personal information, just delete them.
• Avoid providing personal information to unknown callers, particularly if you did not initiate the contact.
• Never send money, gift card details, or cryptocurrency to strangers.
• If someone claims they’ve hacked your device, rather than paying a scammer, take your device to a reputable repair service.

If you’re uncertain about a call, don’t hesitate to contact the police and explain the situation.

“Ultimately, if a call feels suspicious or the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Czeskleba warns.