LEHIGH CO., Pa. – Authorities are warning the people to be aware of an uptick in scams this holiday season.

Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hanna warns his office is getting five or six calls a week. He says one scammer claimed to be a deputy from his office, claiming to have an arrest warrant. Sheriff Hanna says this is NOT legitimate.

“They’re now using real names. They’re doing their research. They’re doing their homework,” Sheriff Hanna said at his office Wednesday. “They’ve used our deputies names, a number of our command staff.”

Hanna also says one of the challenges of these evolving phone calls is that it’s difficult to determine where they originate from.

“You can put Lehigh County Sheriff’s office. So, I call you and you look at your ID, and it says Lehigh County Sheriff’s office, with our legitimate number, it’s spoofed,” said the Sheriff.

Police say the scammers sometimes claim to be representing well-known charities and are targeting all age groups.

Here’s what to look out for.

Hanna says scammers often demand payment in gift cards, crypto or payment apps. Law enforcement will NEVER demand payment over the phone or threaten an arrest. And if the call is urgent or threatening, it’s a scam.

“If it doesn’t seem right, if it doesn’t feel right, it isn’t,” Sheriff Hanna said.

According to information provided by the South Whitehall Township Police Department:

Law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone or threaten arrest to make you pay.

Caller ID can be spoofed to appear official.

Scammers often demand payment by gift cards, wire transfer, crypto, or payment apps.

There is no such thing as a phone “gag order” that stops you from hanging up or verifying.

If it feels urgent, threatening, or secret—it’s a scam.

Township police are advising people on what to do if you get a call:

Hang up immediately.

Do not send money, read gift card numbers, or share personal/financial information.

If you’re worried the call might be real, call back using a published number—not the number that called you.

Document details (time, number shown, what was said).

Report it to police. If money was sent, contact your bank or card issuer right away.

Verify/Report using official numbers

You can contact Lehigh County Sheriff’s Department at 610-782-3175.