OHIO — The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad is offering a warning concerning “a spike in arrest scams,” according to a press release from the county.

These scams can involve fake court documents and scammers impersonating law enforcement. The release states that the scammer will call the victim and tell them they missed a court hearing before emailing counterfeited documentation to try and convince them.

"Arrest call scams are scary, but they are never legitimate,” said Sheryl Harris, director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs, in the release. “If someone tells you you're going to be arrested, hang up. It's a scam. You can help others by reporting scams." 

It also notes a new twist on this scam, targeting those who received Paycheck Protection Program loans as a result of the pandemic. The caller will “have accurate information about loan numbers and amounts” and will inform the victim that they’re being investigated for fraud.

These scams will eventually have the victim pay via gift cards or crypto currency, a tell-tale sign that something is not legitimate.

The release notes a resident, just this week, lost $7,000 to one of these scams.

“Members of law enforcement will NEVER call you to demand money or tell you that you will be arrested if you hang up,” the release reads. “Police do not collect money for the courts. Only scammers direct people to convert money into gift cards or crypto.”

Reports of these scams can be directed to local police or the Scam Squad at 216-443-7226 or cuyahogacounty.gov/scamsquad.