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Pennsylvania State Police warned on November 5 that callers are posing as lieutenants with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. They claim you missed jury duty, say there is a warrant for your arrest, and demand Bitcoin or other crypto to clear it. Police say the reports have grown for weeks. Their advice: hang up and don't call back. Police never take payment by phone to clear a warrant.
Key facts
- Who: Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg station
- What: Callers posing as Franklin County Sheriff's lieutenants demand crypto over a fake missed-jury-duty warrant
- How they want it: Bitcoin or other crypto, often through a Bitcoin ATM
- When: Warning issued November 5, 2026, after weeks of growing reports
- Source: Local21 News and LocalNews1
The call sounds official. A man says he is a lieutenant with the sheriff's office, you missed jury duty, and there is a warrant out for your arrest. To clear it, you must pay now, in Bitcoin. Pennsylvania State Police say it is a scam and warned residents on November 5, Local21 News reported.
The callers claim to be with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, police said. Troopers at the Chambersburg station have seen a growing number of reports over several weeks, LocalNews1 reported. The callers ask for Bitcoin or other crypto. Police across central Pennsylvania report a rise in these warrant calls, abc27 reported.
How the scam works
- A real name and rank. Callers use the titles of real officers so a quick search seems to check out.
- A deadline. They say deputies are on the way unless you pay today, and tell you to stay on the line.
- A strange payment. They send you to a Bitcoin ATM or ask for crypto, because it is fast and hard to reverse. See common scam call scripts.
Police said they never demand payment by phone or text to resolve a warrant, Tri-State Alert reported. No court takes Bitcoin for a fine.
What to do
- Hang up and don't call back the number they gave you. Look up the court or sheriff's number yourself.
- Already paid? Call the ATM company and your bank right away, then report it. Read can you get a Bitcoin ATM refund and how to report a crypto scam.
- Warn older relatives. These calls often target people who live alone. Our police warrant scam guide is easy to share.
Sources: Local21 News (WHP), Police warn of jury duty warrant scam (November 2026), LocalNews1, State police warn of cryptocurrency scam targeting Franklin County residents (November 2026), Tri-State Alert, Pennsylvania State Police warn Franklin County residents of jury duty scam involving Bitcoin payments (November 2026), abc27, Pennsylvania State Police warn of rise in midstate crypto warrant scams (November 2026).
