{"success":true,"data":{"id":"fake-payday-loan-debt-collection-arrest-threat-scam","label":"Fake payday loan debt collection arrest threat — you owe a loan/tax debt + arrest warrant issued / criminal charges / sheriff dispatched + pay immediately via wire/prepaid card to avoid arrest","description":"Fake debt collection scam threatening immediate arrest or criminal prosecution for an alleged unpaid payday loan, personal loan, or IRS tax debt — typically claiming a \"warrant has been issued\" or \"law enforcement has been notified\" and demanding same-day payment via wire transfer, prepaid debit cards, or gift cards to \"clear the warrant.\" IRS impersonation variants are also extremely common. Key facts: (1) In the US and UK, failure to pay a civil loan debt cannot result in criminal arrest — this is categorically illegal; (2) The IRS never calls threatening immediate arrest and never accepts gift card payment; (3) Legitimate debt collectors cannot threaten arrest, must send written notice, must identify themselves, and must inform you of your right to dispute the debt under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA); (4) Any debt collector telling you \"do not contact a lawyer\" is committing a FDCPA violation. FTC 2024: fake debt collection / impersonation scams caused $1.1 billion in consumer losses.","tier":"danger","category":"scam","isThin":false}}