Scammers posing as law enforcement officers are calling Spring-area residents, telling them they have active warrants and demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office flagged the scam in a public warning posted Wednesday, Aug. 19, urging anyone who receives such a call to hang up and verify by calling HCSO directly at 713-221-6000. The post included a printable graphic designed for residents to share with vulnerable family members, including seniors.
Constable Mark Herman's Office, which serves the Spring area through Harris County Precinct 4, issued its own alert about the same scam on July 23. Several residents had already reported receiving the calls by that point, according to the constable's warning. The HCSO warning marks the second agency to sound the alarm publicly.
The callers pressure victims into paying over the phone using gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps or wire transfers. In some cases, scammers have used the names of actual Constable's Office employees to make the calls seem legitimate.
"Our office takes these scams very seriously," Constable Mark Herman said in the July 23 alert. "Criminals are using fear and deception to target innocent residents."
No legitimate agency will ever call to demand payment for a warrant, fine or any other legal matter, Herman's office stated. Deputies do not accept payments by phone. Period.
How to protect yourself
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be law enforcement and demanding money:
- Hang up immediately.
- Do not provide personal information or make any payment.
- Call HCSO at 713-221-6000 to verify whether a warrant exists.
- Contact Constable Herman's office through its official channels to report the call.
The scam is separate from the fraudulent USPS delivery text messages that Constable Herman warned about on Aug. 14. That scheme uses fake package-tracking texts to steal personal information, while this one relies on phone calls and the threat of arrest.
Residents who believe they have been victimized can file a report with the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-221-6000.
