Scammers are increasing the fear factor. Can you imagine local police officers coming to your home, knocking on the door, and asking for you by name—all while being on the phone with a government official, or rather someone claiming to be?
This is where reality is being blurred into impersonation scams: a fake government official plus a real-time welfare check.
It’s another reminder that making sure your online accounts are secure and fraud awareness go hand in hand. Learn about two scare tactics First Mid’s fraud team is seeing more often, both designed to frighten people into moving their money.
Scare Tactic #1: There’s a Warrant Out for Your Arrest
Between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 6,833 complaints involving scams about missed jury duty, court dates, or arrest warrants. Reported losses totaled nearly $36 million*.
Nicole Costa, Fraud Manager at First Mid Bank & Trust, explains how scammers can make a false threat feel immediate and believable. In one version, a scammer requests a real welfare check at the home of the person being targeted. When an officer arrives, the scammer—still on the phone—claims the officer is there because of an arrest warrant. The person is told not to answer the door and to resolve the supposed warrant by making an immediate payment.
“Scammers are always looking for a convincing new twist on a ‘classic’ tactic to increase fear and make it feel more real—like bringing an actual welfare check into the situation,” Costa said.
Scare Tactic #2: Your Identity Is Linked to Illegal Activity
Another similar government impersonation scam involves a scammer pretending to be a government investigator (like the FTC, FBI, or FDIC) and convincing the victim that their identity is linked to criminal activity. This could include crimes like a drug trafficking operation or money laundering, and the victim is informed their assets will be frozen unless they “preserve” their funds. The scammer will ask you to transfer money from your bank account to a bitcoin wallet or another form of ‘payment’ or account they can access.
Never Move Money to “Protect” It
The most important rule to remember in these scenarios is: A legitimate organization or government official will not ask you to transfer funds for safekeeping.
Scammers posing as government officials, law enforcement, or financial institutions may claim your account is compromised and direct you to move money to a “safe” account or send it through a payment app or cryptocurrency wallet.
These schemes can feel convincing because scammers create fear and urgency, isolate the person they are targeting, and use real events to support a false story. Strong account security is an important first line of defense, and it is just as important to recognize when someone is pressuring you to bypass those protections by making you, and your money, feel at risk.
If a request feels wrong, stop and verify it independently before sharing information or moving money. If you find yourself in this situation or feel your First Mid account or card may be affected, contact us immediately. Acting quickly may help protect your account and limit potential losses.