Arlington Heights police warn of scammers posing as officers

Arlington Heights police are warning of a scam in which someone posing as a Cook County Sheriff's official has tried to get residents to turn over money to avoid arrest on a nonexistent warrant.

Police said two residents received calls last week from someone claiming to be an officer with the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The caller told the residents there was an active warrant for their arrests — one related to the woman missing a court date on a red light ticket — and they needed to purchase a reloadable debit card and call back the officer.

In both cases, the resident contacted Cook County authorities and learned there was no active warrant for their arrests. One of the residents then called back the original caller, who hung up on her after learning she had contacted the county.

Anyone having information about this or any other serious crime in Arlington Heights should submit an anonymous text tip by texting the keyword 847AHPD and your message to 847411 (tip411) or call Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at (847) 590-STOP. Callers are guaranteed anonymity and may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.