The Batesville Police Department issued a public warning Thursday regarding a phone scam where callers pose as law enforcement officers to extort money from local residents.
According to department officials, scammers are contacting individuals and claiming to be employees of the Batesville Police Department. The callers reportedly tell victims they have an active warrant for their arrest and demand immediate payment to avoid being taken to jail.
In a statement released April 2, the department clarified that these calls are fraudulent and do not align with standard legal procedures.
“The Batesville Police Department does not accept gift cards or anything for payments,” the department stated. “We do not call people to tell them they have a warrant or missed jury duty.”
Authorities noted that the “gift card” demand is a common tactic used by scammers because the funds are difficult to trace once the card numbers are shared over the phone.
Residents who receive a suspicious call are urged not to provide any personal or financial information. Those who wish to verify their legal status or report a scam attempt should contact the Batesville Police Department directly through their official, verified phone numbers.
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