A phone call claiming you have an arrest warrant could be a scam designed to pressure you into handing over money or personal information, the Churchill County Sheriff's Office warns.
According to the Churchill County Sheriff's Office in an online post, scammers are posing as law enforcement officers and telling people they have a failure to appear warrant because they missed a court date. The callers threaten arrest unless the person immediately pays a fine or fee.
The calls may sound convincing. Scammers may use the name of an actual law enforcement officer or manipulate caller ID to make a call appear to come from a local number or law enforcement agency.
The Sheriff's Office stressed that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call people demanding payment to avoid arrest on a warrant.
To avoid falling victim, residents should never send money to someone who threatens them with arrest over the phone. They also should not provide credit card numbers, banking information or other personal information.
The office also warned residents not to trust caller ID, since phone numbers can be spoofed, and advised hanging up rather than giving in to threats or pressure.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call and has questions can contact the Churchill County Sheriff's Office directly. People who live within Fallon city limits can also contact the Fallon Police Department.
Residents should use a phone number they know is legitimate rather than one provided by the caller, the office said. It also encouraged people to share the warning with friends, family and neighbors, especially those who may be more vulnerable to scams.
(Churchill County Sheriff's Office contributed to this story.)
