Attorney General Gentner Drummond is warning Oklahoma consumers about the resurgence of a scam where fraudsters are producing fake arrest warrants and asking individuals to post preemptive bail at virtual currency kiosks.
“Oklahomans need to stay vigilant protecting themselves from unscrupulous thieves out to steal money and exploit personal information,” Drummond said. “Consumers should always be skeptical of unsolicited communication and are encouraged to report scam attempts to law enforcement.”
The scam recently appeared in Tulsa where a fraudster claiming to represent the federal public defender’s office sent fake arrest warrants to several senior citizens. Scammers also have claimed to be law enforcement officers. The bogus warrants have been shared through email and text messages.
Drummond encourages consumers to know:
• Arrest warrants are not served by phone, email or mail.
• Government agencies do not send unsolicited requests for personal information or demand money.
• Government agencies do not accept payment of fines, court costs or bonds through cryptocurrency.
• Requests to utilize cryptocurrency kiosks or drop off large amount of currency are red flags.
• Individuals can contact law enforcement agencies and court systems to verify the legitimacy of any claims.
For more information or to report a scam, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit toll free at 833-681-1895 or consumperprotection@ oag.ok.gov.
