A phone scammer is attempting to steal money from Alaskans by posing as a law enforcement officer and asking for payment to prevent an arrest warrant, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals Service.
The caller identifies himself to potential victims as a deputy U.S. marshal, the Tuesday statement said.
“This phony law enforcement officer informed the potential victims that warrants were being issued for them or their family member due to being absent from a federal grand jury they were previously summoned to appear before,” the statement said.
The scammer then tells potential victims they can pay a fine by electronic transfer or cashier’s check to avoid arrest, according to the statement.
“The U.S. Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency and does not seek payment of fines or fees via the telephone for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants,” the U.S. Marshals Service wrote.
Officials urge people not to give away personal or financial information over the phone to anyone they don’t know. Anyone who receives the scam calls should report them to police, the statement said.