WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WIFR) – A scam warning involving what some may consider a frightening call threatening our arrest if we don’t pay up.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department says several people have gotten the calls claiming to be from a high ranking official with either the Sheriff’s Office or the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Rockford. The caller says there’s a warrant out for the person’s arrest for not appearing at a grand jury. The person is then told to call an 800 number and transfer money for a bond payment.

In one situation, the citizen used their debit card to transfer $2,400 to an office in Georgia.

Neither the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department or the U.S. Attorney’s Office calls people and demands payments.

Anyone who gets a similar call should report it immediately to the Sheriff’s Department at (815) 319-6317.