Sheriff's Department warns of false arrest scams

The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department is warning the public about two recent scams in the Des Moines area.

In the first scam, someone called the intended victim and claimed to be a police officer, telling then there is a warrant out for his or her arrest for failure to appear in court.  The caller then asks for money to pay for the fine.

In the second scam, the caller says there is a warrant for arrest because the person being contacted failed to show up for jury duty.  Again the caller asks for money to pay for the fine.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department says people who fail to appear for jury duty are not contacted by phone.  Also plain clothes police officers do not collect fines for the Court.

Please call the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department at (563) 382-4268 if you thin you are a victim of one of these scams.