If you receive a call from someone saying they are from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (or any other law enforcement agency) and that you have to pay them money, hang up. Scammers will try a variety of approaches to intimidate and coerce people into giving them money. But actual sheriffs’ offices in Virginia will never call you and demand money.

Don’t be a victim! The callers may identify themselves as law enforcement officers, use an official sounding title or use a spoofed phone number that looks real. They may state that you missed jury duty, have an outstanding warrant, failed to pay a fine, owe someone money, need to post a bond, or did not appear in court on a summons, and as a result, you must pay them immediately. They may even threaten to have you arrested or send an officer or deputy to take you into custody, unless you give them money or provide them credit card or gift card information. Some might even demand payment in cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin.

Do not pay them or disclose any financial or personal information. Simply hang up!

If you have been the victim of a scam, report it to your local police department. The Alexandria Police Department can be reached at 703.746.4444.

You can also report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission.