Court warns Indiana residents of police impersonation phone scam

INDIANAPOLIS — Court officials issued a new warning to Indiana residents Wednesday about a police impersonation scam.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana said it's received reports of scammers calling people, often attorneys and healthcare providers, and impersonating local law enforcement. The scammers accuse those they call of allegedly failing to appear as a witness at a court hearing or trial.

"Recipients of such calls are told they have been found in contempt of court and, if they fail to pay a fine, will be arrested," the court said in a statement. "Using threats and scare tactics, the scammers then entice their victim to pay this 'fine' with cash cards or other electronic payment."

RELATED: Scammers target job seekers using local business’ identity | What's the Deal?

The scammers often spoof legitimate government phone numbers and provide the names of real court officials. 

"Even if the names are real, the 'fine' is fake," the court said.

The court said that real courts and officials will never call and demand payment for any reason, and encouraged residents to hang up if they receive such a call.

Residents of the Southern District of Indiana who think they've been the victim of this type of scam are asked to contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission. 

RELATED: Indiana Toll Road warns of text message scams

The court shared the following tips regarding calls from anyone claiming to be police officers court officials:

• Only scammers will call, text, or email demanding that you pay by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, or a wire transfer service. No court official or law enforcement officer will ever make such a demand.
• Real law enforcement and real court officials will never demand that you pay fines by phone.
• Real law enforcement and real court officials will never call to say you’re going to be arrested (or threaten to arrest you if you hang up).
• Do not divulge personal information or financial information to unknown callers, including those who claim to work for the government.
• A fine will never be imposed until after an individual has appeared in court and been given the opportunity to explain a failure to appear.
• Report scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission.