SOURCE: Federal Trade Commission

Have you gotten a call that looks like it’s from your local police department? Scammers are faking caller ID to impersonate local law enforcement, hoping to get you to pay. Learn how this scam works so you can avoid it.

The call comes from someone claiming they’re a sheriff or deputy at your local police department. They say they’ve confiscated a package with your name on it. It’s filled with money, illegal drugs, or weapons — and you’ll be arrested unless you pay a fine. To avoid being arrested, they might tell you to send cash, deposit money at a Bitcoin ATM, buy gift cards and give them the numbers, or send money over a payment app like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.

Even if the caller uses the name of a real officer, has a real number show up on caller ID, or has information about you (like your address), that’s not a real officer calling. It’s a scammer trying to steal your money. Here’s what to know:

• Real law enforcement officers won’t call to say you’re going to be arrested (or threaten to arrest you if you hang up).
• Real law enforcement officers won’t call to insist that you pay fines by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, or a wire transfer service — and never as a way to buy your way out of a “crime.”

If you get a call like this, hang up. Don’t call the number back. If you want to check it out, contact your local police department, but use a website or phone number you know is real. Then report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Already paid a scammer? Read What To Do if You Were Scammed to find out what to do next.