Law enforcement impersonation scam prompts warning to residents

Heber City Police Vehicle. Photo: Heber City Police

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — Scammers posing as law enforcement officers are targeting residents with fraudulent claims of arrest warrants, warns the Heber City Police Department. The scheme pressures victims to make immediate payments under the threat of incarceration.

The scam typically begins with a phone call from someone claiming to represent the police or another law enforcement agency. The caller alleges that the recipient has an outstanding arrest warrant for a vague or fabricated violation. The individual then demands immediate payment, often through untraceable methods such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

“This is a classic scam tactic,” officials said in a public alert. “Legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone or ask for unconventional forms of payment.”

Key warning signs include high-pressure demands for instant payment, requests for unusual payment methods and threats of arrest if the recipient does not comply.

Authorities advise anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and avoid providing personal or financial information. Residents are encouraged to verify any claims by contacting their local police department directly using the official phone number listed on its website. Suspected scams should also be reported to the appropriate authorities.

The message from law enforcement is clear: “If someone claims to be the police and demands money over the phone, it’s a scam.”

The warning is part of an ongoing effort to prevent residents from falling victim to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. Officials urge community members to share this information to help protect friends and family from financial harm.