Scammers may target you because you are on probation or required to register as an offender.

In a typical scam call, an impostor posing as an officer says you’ve broken the law and are about to be arrested – unless you pay up.

Here are the facts:

• Real officers NEVER tell people they can pay to avoid an arrest.
• Legitimate government agencies do NOT accept payments in money wires, gaming apps, gift cards, or Bitcoins.
  

If you get a call threatening you with arrest unless you pay money, hang up and report the call to the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad at 216-443-SCAM (7226).

Here are a few additional tips to remember:

• Don’t trust Caller ID displays — scammers may spoof them.
• Don’t believe callers just because they use an officer’s name or badge number. Scammers lie.
• Don’t automatically answer or call back unknown callers. Let them go to voicemail.
• Don’t try to verify calls by using numbers that scammers provide. Use numbers you know are real.
• Don’t be fooled if a caller asks you to go to the Justice Center. It’s a scam tactic to trick you.

To reach the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department anytime, contact 216-443-6000.

To reach the Cuyahoga County Probation Office, 216-443-7800.

To report a scam, contact Scam Squad at 216-443-7226.