Latest Iowa Scam Sees Our U.S. Marshals Impersonated

I'm honestly sick and tired of all the scammers. Seriously, get a job like the rest of us, ya crooked thieves. It's unfortunately time to update your knowledge on Iowa's lastest scam trend... again. If your phone rings and someone claiming to be a U.S. Marshal tells you there’s a warrant out for your arrest or a subpoena with your name on it; don’t panic. And whatever you do, do NOT pull out your credit card.

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The U.S. Marshals Service in the Northern District of Iowa warns residents about a string of impersonation scams around the state. Scam Callers are once again pretending to be law enforcement officials, specifically U.S. Marshals. They claim you’ve missed jury duty, have a pending court case, or need to pay a fine to avoid an arrest. The twist this time around? They’re demanding immediate payment over the phone. Here's how ya know it's a scam. They want payment by gift card, prepaid debit card, or a direct wire transfer.

If you think that sounds suspicious, that's because it is.

“These calls are scams, plain and simple. We will never call anyone demanding payment or personal information. If someone says they’re with the Marshals Service and asks for money, hang up.”

-Christopher Barther, Acting U.S. Marshal

These scammers are slick. They usually are. They’ve been known to use real names of law enforcement officers or judges, spoof phone numbers to look official, and even recite fake badge numbers. They might tell you there’s a criminal subpoena against you and pressure you to act quickly so you're not arrested or see additional fines. It’s all designed to scare you into handing over your financial information on the spot.

Here's what you should know: the U.S. Marshals Service will NEVER ask you for gift cards, credit card numbers, or bank details over the phone. If you truly owe a fine or are involved in a court matter, you'll be contacted by official mail or visited in person by clearly identified officers.

The U.S. Marshals are urging anyone who gets one of these calls to report it immediately. It' should be reported to both your local USMS office and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can even report it anonymously if you'd like. The FTC collects scam reports to spot patterns and help law enforcement stop the people behind them.

So what should you do if someone calls and says they're from the U.S. Marshals?

• Hang up Immediately.
• Don’t share any personal or financial info.
• Call the real Marshals Service or your local court to verify any supposed legal issue.
• Report the scam to the FTC.

Scams like this can seem scary, especially when they come wrapped in the voice of authority. But knowing what red flags to watch for can assure you don't fall prey to these scammers. Bottom line, no legitimate law enforcement agency is going to demand you pay a fine with a gift card. Be smart. Stay safe, Iowa.