MADISON – The Madison Police Department warned residents Friday the department is being used as a platform for a scam.

Authorities say an unknown subject claiming to be a MPD employee is making phone calls to people saying there is a warrant for their arrest for Failure to Appear (FTA) on a court case. The scam demands funds described as a “fine” from the caller in a gift card, green dot card or other electronic funds transfer method in lieu of arrest.

“No law enforcement agency conducts financial business like this over the telephone,” the post stated. “The police will not solicit funds this way as well. The court system is the only entity to demand fines based upon a lawful court case you may be a party to.”

Report all scams to your local law enforcement agency.