What to do if…
you receive an unexpected request to meet an investigator at a location you did not choose

What to do now

1. Create a pause and take control of timing. You can say: “I can’t meet or answer questions today. I need to verify this and speak with counsel. Please provide the request in writing.”
2. Treat the unexpected location as unverified for now. A request to meet somewhere unusual, private, rushed, or hard to verify is a reason to slow down, not a reason to comply faster.
3. If they ask for money or payment in any form, end the contact. Hang up or stop replying. Real law enforcement generally will not call to threaten arrest or demand payment to avoid arrest.
4. Verify independently using an official public route, not the number or link they gave you.
   • Ask for the person’s full name, agency, badge or ID number, supervisor or unit, and case or reference number.
   • Remember that these details can be faked or copied from real officials.
   • Find the agency’s official website or main public phone number yourself, such as the city police department, sheriff’s office, state agency, court, or federal field office, and ask whether the person works there and whether the request is real.
5. Clarify what you are being asked to do without discussing facts.
   • Ask whether you are being contacted as a witness, victim, suspect, person under supervision, or something else.
   • Ask whether the meeting is voluntary.
   • Ask whether they claim there is a subpoena, court order, warrant, or other written authority. If they do, ask for a copy in writing.
6. If you might be a suspect, or it is unclear, invoke your rights and stop. Say: “I am not answering questions. I want a lawyer.” Then stop talking about the situation. Even context meant to be helpful may be used against you.
7. If a real meeting is needed, ask for a safer official setting and counsel. Ask whether the meeting can happen at the agency office, courthouse, or another clearly official location, and with your attorney present. If they insist on a secluded or unusual location, rush you, or discourage counsel, do not attend before getting legal advice.
8. If you are on probation, parole, pretrial release, or court supervision, verify through your existing official route. Contact your supervising officer using the number you already have or the agency’s main line. Ask whether the contact is legitimate and whether you have any reporting requirement. Do not discuss the facts of any new allegation without a lawyer.
9. If you are incarcerated or the request comes through jail or prison channels, ask for counsel and formal verification. Use the facility’s process to request counsel and ask staff to verify the investigator’s name, agency, and case number. Do not agree to an “off the record” interview.
10. Preserve what you received. Save voicemails, texts, emails, letters, envelopes, phone numbers, usernames, links, payment instructions, and the requested date, time, and location. This can help a lawyer, the real agency, or a fraud-reporting service check what happened.
11. If someone appears in person and pressures you, end it safely if you can. Ask: “Am I free to leave or end this conversation?” If yes, leave or close the door. If not, say: “I want a lawyer. I am remaining silent.” Provide only information you are legally required to provide in your state, because those rules vary.