Public Safety · Miami-Dade County
South Florida Agencies Warn of Officer Impersonator Scams
Multiple South Florida law enforcement agencies have posted warnings about scammers calling residents while impersonating police officers to demand payment for fake warrants, bonds, or missed jury duty. The fraudsters use real officer names, badge numbers, and spoofed caller ID to appear legitimate, according to authorities in Sunny Isles Beach, Homestead, Hialeah, and Palm Beach County. In one Sunny Isles Beach case, a fraudster posing as a police lieutenant sent a fake notice attempting to obtain money, but the potential victim contacted the department before paying. Agencies stress they will never call demanding payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and urge residents to hang up and report suspicious calls to non-emergency lines.