© 2026

For assistance accessing the Online Public File for KAXE or KBXE, please contact: Steve Neu, IT Engineer, at 800-662-5799.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The Brainerd translator at 89.9 FM is currently operating at reduced power. We are working toward a solution. Thank you for your patience. Listen at kaxe.org!

Northland sheriffs warn of scam demanding payment under arrest threat

Contributed
/
Tara Winstead via Pexels

The fraudsters use a caller ID spoofing technique to have their number appear to be from the sheriff’s office and even use the name and badge number of a sheriff’s office official.

The Cass and St. Louis county sheriffs issued warnings Wednesday, Oct. 22, of fraudulent phone calls and text messages from people posing as sheriff's office employees.

In many of these cases, victims receive a scam call demanding payment for an unpaid fine that would lead to an arrest warrant.

The fraudsters use a caller ID spoofing technique to have their number appear to be from the sheriff’s office and even use the name and badge number of a sheriff’s office official. In a recent Cass County case, this led a victim and their co-workers to believe the fraudster and fall victim to the scam, which involved transferring currency through a prepaid debit card.

Authorities say if you receive this type of call or scam, protect yourself by hanging up immediately and never providing personal or financial information over the phone. Instead, independently verify the information by calling the official sheriff's office at a number you find from their official website. 

"Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never demand immediate payment over the phone for fines, missed court dates or to clear warrants," the release stated.

Rock Ridge passes 2026-27 budget, but 'getting lower and lower’ on cash
The School Board unanimously passed its budget, leaving a little more than $136,000 of cash flow available in its general fund.
Escapee gets prison time; Crow Wing ICE agreements draw ire, support
And: A cannabis business has been approved for Second Harvest's LaPrairie warehouse; and Rock Ridge has nearly depleted its reserves.
DNR extends deer feeding ban to 2 more Northern MN counties
The intent of the ban is to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease spread, following detections of CWD in wild deer in new areas of the state last year.
Proposal would toughen cancellation policy for BWCAW quota permits
Late cancellations and no‑shows continue to climb, according to the U.S. Forest Service. In 2025, nearly 40% of January reservations were never used.
2nd attempted cannabis biz approved for Second Harvest's LaPrairie warehouse
The business would grow, manufacture and sell cannabis out of the building off Highway 2, though there are still moving parts as far as the sale of the warehouse.
Escapee gets prison time for burglary, assault, violating no-contact order
Michael Hart escaped from a correctional facility and was later mistakenly released from jail. He was in custody for these charges when he escaped in 2025.
Federal judge quashes subpoenas against Walz, Frey in DOJ criminal investigation
Schiltz said the incursion of 3,000 federal agents and the Trump administration’s statements show the subpoenas were issued for harassing political opponents and coercing them into action.
Crashes claim Northland lives; Judge quashes subpoenas in immigration probe
Plus: Changes are in the wings to the BWCAW permit cancellation policy; and the DNR is expanding a deer feeding and attractant ban in two Northern MN counties.
Hermantown accepting more public comment on proposed data center
Hermantown and Google jointly agreed to the updated study with current information allowing for greater specificity, the city reported.
Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle near Bemidji
The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office reported Floyd Cloud was hit June 21, 2026, on Division Street Northwest, west of Bemidji in Grant Valley Township.

Common tactics

  • Caller ID spoofing: The phone number may appear to be from the local sheriff's office or a specific deputy's name, but this is fake. 
  • Sense of urgency: Scammers create panic by claiming there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, and you must pay a fine immediately to avoid jail time. 
  • Demands for payment: They will demand payment through specific, untraceable methods, such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. 
  • Threats: They may threaten to come to your home if you do not pay immediately. 

What to do

  • Hang up immediately: Do not provide any information, and do not stay on the line to argue or question the caller. 
  • Do not call back the number from the call: Scammers may be spoofing thenumberand you will not reach a legitimate agency. 
  • Call the official sheriff's office directly: Look up the phone number for your local sheriff's office on their official website, or a trusted directory, and call them to verify the claim. 
  • Do not share personal or financial information: This includes your Social Security number, bank account information or payment details. 
  • Report the scam: You can report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and visit identitytheft.gov if you have already shared personal information. 

Creative Commons License
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.