The Howell County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to an active scam involving fake federal court documents and threatening phone calls.
According to the sheriff’s office, scammers are circulating documents that appear to come from the United States District Court and then calling victims to claim they have a warrant, missed a court date, or must pay a bond to avoid arrest. The callers often insist victims stay on the phone and make payments through Bitcoin kiosks, mobile apps, or other non‑traditional methods.
Officials stress that this is a scam. Red flags include demands for payment through Bitcoin or gift cards, instructions to remain on the phone with a so‑called “mobile escort,” threats of immediate arrest, and documents containing unusual wording or errors.
Authorities remind the public that legitimate courts and law enforcement agencies do not collect fines over the phone, do not require payment through cryptocurrency or gift cards, and do not instruct anyone to stay on the line.
Residents who receive such a call are urged to hang up immediately, avoid sending money or sharing personal information, and report the incident to their local law enforcement agency.
