CLICK HERE NOW | Will the FBI call you about a warrant?

Will the FBI Call You About a Warrant?

Receiving a phone call supposedly from the FBI informing you that there is a warrant out for your arrest can be an alarming and stressful experience. However, it’s extremely unlikely that a real FBI agent would contact you by phone regarding an arrest warrant.

The FBI does not generally notify people by telephone if a warrant has been issued for their arrest. Instead, they will either attempt to apprehend the person or have local law enforcement serve the warrant. If you receive a call about a warrant, it’s almost certainly a scam.

Arrest Warrant Scams

One common phone scam involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement and claiming there is a warrant for your arrest unless you pay a fine or fee. They may spoof a legitimate FBI phone number on caller ID to appear credible^[1].

However, the real FBI does not operate this way. They will never call demanding money to clear a warrant.

How the FBI Handles Warrants

The FBI has an established protocol for how arrest warrants are handled^[2]:

• Warrants are obtained from federal judges based on criminal complaints and affidavits.
• FBI agents or federal marshals will attempt to locate and apprehend the subject of the warrant to take them into custody.
• The arrest warrant is served on the person during the apprehension process.

At no point will the FBI telephone the subject to notify them or demand payment.

Law Enforcement Impersonation Tactics

Common tactics scammers use when posing as the FBI or other law enforcement include^[3]:

• Threatening immediate arrest if fines/fees are not paid.
• Pressuring the call recipient to stay on the line and not hang up.
• Instructing the person to obtain cash cards or wire transfers to pay the fines.
• Spoofing law enforcement phone numbers on caller ID.

Their aggressive, threatening language is aimed at scaring you into compliance.

How to Respond to Warrant Scam Calls

If you receive a call claiming to be the FBI or other agency informing you of a warrant, you should^[4]:

• Hang up immediately.
• Report the scam call to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
• Warn friends and family about the scam.
• Never pay any demanded fines or fees.

Under no circumstances should you engage with, provide information to, or pay the scammers.

Verifying Law Enforcement Contacts

If you have any doubt about communications purportedly from the FBI, you can always directly contact your local FBI field office to verify it^[5].

You can also contact the court clerk’s office to verify the validity of any warrants.

Conclusion

Phone scammers often impersonate law enforcement and threaten arrest in order to extort money. But the real FBI does not actually contact people by phone about warrants. If you receive such a call, it’s a fraudulent scam attempt.

What to Do If You Are Actually Facing an FBI Investigation

If you are actually facing an FBI investigation, it’s important to take the situation seriously and seek legal counsel immediately. Steps to take include:

• Politely decline to answer any questions from FBI agents until you have a lawyer present.
• Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, ideally one with expertise in federal cases.
• Follow your attorney’s advice about whether or not to cooperate with investigators.
• Have your lawyer coordinate any production of documents or testimony.
• Never lie or mislead federal agents, as that creates more legal jeopardy.

Navigating an FBI probe requires great caution and the guidance of counsel to avoid making costly missteps.

Responding to a Grand Jury Subpoena

If you receive a federal grand jury subpoena, your lawyer can help by^[1]:

• Filing a motion to quash or limit the subpoena if grounds exist.
• Negotiating with prosecutors for limited testimony or immunity.
• Preparing you to testify truthfully while protecting your rights.
• Asserting your 5th Amendment right if testimony may incriminate you.

Careful deliberation with counsel helps decide the best approach to complying with a subpoena.

Avoiding Obstruction Charges

To avoid charges of obstructing justice^[2]:

• Never lie or provide false documents to federal agents.
• Do not hide, destroy, or tamper with evidence subject to subpoena.
• Do not attempt to improperly influence witness testimony.
• Comply with lawful court orders and subpoenas.

Lying to federal agents or obstructing their investigation can lead to additional criminal charges.