U.S. Marshals Offer Warning on Current Public Scam
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on January 15, 2026
According to a press release, the U.S. Marshals Service is warning the public about a scam involving fraudsters posing as federal agents.
Victims receive calls and text messages from scammers claiming to be from the U.S. Marshals Service who say they are facing arrest, legal action or contempt of court for failing to comply with a false legal obligation. Scammers often have fake legal documents, such as fake warrants, subpoenas or court orders that make the scam seem real. Victims are then told to immediately pay money to avoid arrest, federal agents say.
The scammers often demand money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency and other methods that are hard to trace. The U.S. Marshals Service says federal agents will never contact anyone by text message or phone to demand money to resolve legal matters.
Follow these protocols when dealing with scammers:
- Do not respond to unsolicited calls or texts claiming to be from law enforcement.
- Do not send money or cryptocurrency.
- Do not share personal or financial information.
- Independently verify any claimed law enforcement contact by calling official numbers listed on government websites.
If you believe you may have been contacted by scammers posing as law enforcement officers you are asked to report the incident to their local police agency and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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