Scam in United StatesFake officials
Misleading police statements during an arrest in United States
How it works
Police may give untrue information about your rights, the reason for your arrest, or evidence against you. This is a warning about official conduct rather than a typical tourist money scam.
Warning signs
- Statements about your rights conflict with your right to remain silent or speak to a lawyer.
How to avoid it
- Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and avoid sudden movements.
- If arrested, state that you decline to answer questions.
- Ask to speak to a lawyer and have one present during questioning.
- Do not offer a bribe.
If it happens to you
Ask for a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the court must provide one. For a complaint about an officer's behavior, contact your country's embassy for advice first.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase anyone or get into a confrontation.
- Call 911 if you are threatened, injured, or facing an emergency.
- Contact your card issuer or bank promptly. Freeze affected cards and report unauthorized payments.
- Save receipts, messages, booking details, and a short account of what happened.
- Report the incident to the appropriate police service. Ask for a report number or copy.
- Contact your insurer if you need to make a claim. Contact your embassy if your passport is missing or you need help.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the misleading police statements during an arrest scam in United States?
Police may give untrue information about your rights, the reason for your arrest, or evidence against you. This is a warning about official conduct rather than a typical tourist money scam.
How can I spot it early?
Statements about your rights conflict with your right to remain silent or speak to a lawyer.
How do I avoid misleading police statements during an arrest in United States?
Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and avoid sudden movements. If arrested, state that you decline to answer questions. Ask to speak to a lawyer and have one present during questioning. Do not offer a bribe.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask for a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the court must provide one. For a complaint about an officer's behavior, contact your country's embassy for advice first.
Where in United States does this happen?
During an arrest or police questioning
How common is this scam in United States?
Occasional. The United States is generally safe for tourists, and few visitors experience crime. Visitors may face petty crime or aggressive requests for money, but there is not enough information here to say how common tourist scams are.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 911 for police, fire, or ambulance assistance in an emergency. The call is free. Local police: for a non-emergency scam or theft, contact the local police through their official contact details or visit a police station. Transit police: for an incident on public transportation, report it to transit police where available. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact details to report a stolen card or unauthorized payment. Your country's embassy: contact the embassy for help with a missing passport. If your complaint concerns a police officer's behavior, ask the embassy for advice first. Travel insurer: use the claims contact in your policy. Keep receipts and any police report for your claim.
What number do I call in an emergency in United States?
Police, fire, and ambulance: 911, Poison Control, available 24/7: +1-800-222-1222.
Reviewed by @snuck